§ 10. Mr. N. Macleanasked the Secretary of State for War how often the firms of Waring and Gillow and Maple and Company have tendered for contracts for making tent covers for the War Office since 1918; and how often have contracts for tent covers been placed with them since that time?
Mr. CooperSince 1918, Waring and Gillow have tendered for tentage on eight occasions, and contracts for portions of the quantities for which they tendered have been placed with them on four occasions. During the same period, Maple and Company have tendered on nine occasions, and have received contracts on two occasions, one of these being for a portion only of the quantities for which they tendered.
§ Mr. MacleanIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that firms who have tendered from the depressed areas for these contracts have been refused and that the contracts have gone to the firms mentioned in the question; and will he take steps to put into operation the Cabinet promise that, all things being equal, the depressed areas would receive preference for any contracts placed by Government Departments?
§ Mr. MacleanIs it not the case that tenders were received from Glasgow?
§ Mr. MacleanHave not the Cabinet stated, through the Minister of Labour, that, for the purposes of Government contracts, Glasgow is to be scheduled as a depressed area, and does not the Minister 946 know that, as he has a copy of a letter which I communicated to him from the Minister of Labour?
§ At the end of Questions:
§ Mr. MacleanI wish to give notice that, in view of the reply given this afternoon by the Secretary of State for War, which is a direct contradiction of a statement made in a letter by the Minister of Labour, with regard to the depressed areas, I will raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.