§ 50. Sir A. Knoxasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, in the equipment of armament factories or in the enlargement of existing factories to execute Government orders, he will see that preference is given to British-made equipment?
§ Sir T. InskipWhere the purchase of equipment is financed by the Government, preference is at all times given to British manufacturers. In exceptional cases, as for instance, where a particular type of equipment is required, or where the equip- 1148 ment is needed in advance of delivery obtainable from home makers, recourse has to be made to foreign purchase. Where, however, new factories or extensions to existing factories are privately financed, the source of origin of the equipment is not a matter in which the Government can claim to interfere.