§ 54. Mr. STOREYasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will instruct His Majesty's Stationery Office that, in order to provide employment, a larger proportion of Government printing contracts be placed on the North-East Coast and that, to assist printers, facilities for inspection of samples be provided nearer than London and Manchester?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEApart from certain classes of work which can only be carried out under special conditions, I understand that all the Stationery Office's printing work orders are either advertised publicly or circulated among the firms on the Department's list. It is open to any printing firm to apply to be put upon this list, and thus be given an opportunity to tender for any such orders. In accordance with the Government's policy, preference is given, other things being equal, to tenders from firms in the Special Areas. The extent to which orders can actually be given to firms in those areas must of course depend upon the tenders received. As regards the second part of the question, there are practical difficulties which would make it impossible for me to accept my hon. Friend's suggestion. I understand that correspondence on the subject has passed recently between the North-Eastern Development Board and the Stationery Office, who have suggested to the Board certain ways in which firms might deal with the matter.