§ 32. Miss WILKINSONasked the First Commissioner of Works what proportion of all orders placed by his Department since October, 1934, were allocated to 629 firms in the North-Eastern area; and what steps are being taken to increase the proportion?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)I regret that I cannot say without further inquiry what proportion of the orders for coal were placed with firms in the North-Eastern area. As regards other goods, the proportion of direct orders given by the Office of Works during the period mentioned, was approximately 1 per cent. As regards the second part of the question, it is the practice, other things being equal, to give preference in the allocation of contracts to tenders received from firms in the Special Areas: in addition, special steps have been taken to bring contracts open to tender to the notice of firms in these areas.
§ Miss WILKINSONAs it is of no use asking the Under-Secretary for the Home Department questions on this matter, may I ask the Prime Minister whether the Cabinet, in view of the serious condition of employment in the North-Eastern area, are impressing upon the purchasing Departments the necessity, where other things are equal, of considering the things that are not equal, that is to say, the high proportion of unemployment in this area? The Prime Minister ought to reply to this question.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI ought to get notice of these questions.
§ 38. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN - DOYLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has considered the desirability of giving a larger proportion of orders to the Tyne?
§ The CIVIL LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Kenneth Lindsay)In the allocation of contracts, the Admiralty always have under review all relevant factors such as the prices quoted and the situation in the various shipbuilding areas. In present circumstances, it is reasonable to anticipate that the Tyne will receive a considerable share of such contracts.
§ 52. Miss WILKINSONasked the President of the Board of Education what proportion of all orders placed since October, 1935, by his Department have been allocated to the North-eastern area; and whether any steps are being taken to increase the proportion?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Oliver Stanley)I am not quite clear what the hon. Member has in mind. My Department does not place any orders for supplies.
§ Miss WILKINSONIn view of the very large orders that must be placed for educational services in this country, has the right hon. Gentleman's Department no influence on how these orders are placed?
§ Mr STANLEYIf the hon. Lady's question refers to orders placed by local education authorities and she will put it on the Paper in that form, I will see what information I can obtain for her.