§ 49. Mr. Bellengerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of contracts placed in Canada for the supply of armaments, comparison has been made with the prices charged for similar articles manufactured in Great Britain; and whether there is any discrepancy between the two sets of prices?
§ Sir J. SimonIn placing contracts in Canada, the Contracts Departments have made the fullest use of their experience on orders placed for similar stores in this country. The hon. Member will, however, appreciate that other considerations besides price enter into the question of purchase. There are generally differences of price between different sources of supply whether they are British or Canadian.
§ Mr. BellengerDoes the same machinery for controlling or supervising prices exist in the case of Canadian contracts as in the case of similar contracts placed in this country?
§ Sir J. SimonIt will partly depend, I imagine, upon whether the contract is one which involves work on a time and line basis, or whether it is one which has been negotiated at a specified figure; but I am quite satisfied that the Departments concerned have given their closest scrutiny to these matters, and I do not think there is any reason to believe that the figures will work out adversely.