HC Deb 10 March 1938 vol 332 cc2109-10
64. Mr. V. Adams

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Government Departments, in dealing with a tender for work from a specified blind institution, afford that institution the opportunity of revising its price to a figure below the lowest offered by a private trader; and whether it is proposed to adhere to this practice, which damages the interest of the private trader and reduces the system of tendering to an absurdity?

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Lieut.-Colonel Colville)

I presume that my hon. Friend refers to the practice whereby in certain cases a proportion of orders for certain classes of goods is offered to blind institutions at the price of accepted tenders. The volume of orders so offered is not substantial and it is not the practice, as my hon. Friend suggests, to place orders at lower than trade prices; nor are requirements of quality and inspection relaxed. I cannot accept my hon. Friend's view that this practice damages the interests of the private trader or reduces the system of tendering to an absurdity.

Mr. Adams

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend be interested to have some documentary evidence from another Government Department?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

I should be interested in anything which my hon. Friend can show me, but the practice of giving benevolent treatment to blind institutions is a long-standing one, and I should be very sorry to see it abolished.

Mr. Adams

While I appreciate the compassionate reasons underlying the Government's action, is it really fair to the private trader to pretend that there is free competition by inviting tenders?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

I think the system is quite fair, and I should be sorry to see it changed.