§ 48. Mr. KENNEDYasked the Prime Minister what steps, if any, the Government will take, in the absence of competitive tenders, to prevent excessive profiteering by private firms in connection with forthcoming armaments production; and whether he will consider the desirability of securing national control of the sources of necessary raw material and the industries concerned?
§ Sir J. SIMONAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, East (Mr. Emmott) on Tuesday last; as regards the last part of the question further measures of control are not in our opinion at present called for.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether recent contract prices compare favourably or un-favourably with the prices which were paid during the War?
§ Sir J. SIMONObviously, I cannot answer that as a supplementary question. If the hon. Member desires an answer, perhaps he will put the question on the Order Paper.