§ 72. Major Sir Reginald Dorman-Smithasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Army vocational training centres undertake work for private individuals; whether he is satisfied that it is fair to submit bona fide traders to this type of competition; and, if not, whether he will take steps to put a stop to this practice?
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Duff Cooper)Yes, Sir. The work given to trainees at Army vocational training centres is normally of a public nature, but, when this is not available, private 441 work of educational value may be undertaken for individual members of the Army, regimental and garrison institutes, and civilians employed by the War Department provided it is to meet their own requirements and is not for profit or commercial use. The price charged, moreover, is that which it is estimated that an ordinary commercial firm would charge for the same work, except in cases where the workmanship, being that of a trainee, is not up to full commercial standard, when a reduction is made. I do not agree, therefore, that there is any ground for complaint.