§ 57. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the value of printing orders placed with Messrs. Littlewoods since the outbreak of war, and for the six months previous; and whether he is aware that many printing works throughout the country are idle through lack of orders?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank)No orders for printing have been placed with Messrs. Littlewoods, but, since the outbreak of war, orders, on a competitive basis, to a total value of £745 have been placed with a Liverpool printing firm which, in common with a number of other large 683 printing firms in various parts of the country, have hitherto undertaken printing for Messrs. Littlewoods. No orders were placed with either of these two firms during the six months preceding the outbreak of war. The Stationery Office has received offers of assistance and applications for work from printing firms in all parts of the country. Such work as is not provided for under existing long-term contracts is submitted to competitive tender among suitable firms.
§ Mr. EdwardsCan the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the firm referred to is a subsidiary company of Messrs. Littlewoods?
§ Captain CrookshankNot without notice.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonAre there not firms in London which could do this work?
Viscountess AstorDoes not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think that Littlewoods have made enough out of the public?