§ 49. Mr. LAWSONasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he is aware that the ordnance factories carried on the Army Vote have a system of costing which is of great value to the establishments as well as of value to the War Office when contracts have to be made with private firms; and whether he 1223 intends to avail himself of this experience in making large-scale contracts in the future?
§ Sir T. INSKIPI am aware of the system of costing in the ordnance factories and the method whereby the ordnance factories' costs are utilised to check trade prices. That experience is available to all Departments which are responsible for making contracts, as well as to myself.
§ Mr. H. G. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the costs of the ordnance factories are much too high? [An HON. MEMBER: "How do you know?"] I have seen them at work.