§ 88. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that various Government Departments have sent advice in varying terms to local authorities on the attitude they should adopt towards 204 housing and other contractors who plead that they are unable to fulfil their contracts at the contract prices; whether any administrative machinery or any committee exists through which uniform principles may be applied to the solution of this problem; and, if so, whether he will circulate a statement of what these principles are?
§ Captain CrookshankThe Departments concerned have discussed together the treatment to be accorded to contractors in respect of rises in wages and increases in the prices of materials. I am not aware that different Departments have given different advice to local authorities, but if the hon. Member has any particular cases in mind, perhaps he will let me have details. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular issued to local authorities in Scotland giving general advice on the subject. I am informed that it has not been necessary to issue any similar circular in England and Wales but that the Ministry of Health has dealt with individual inquiries on the same basis.
§ Mr. Garro JonesIf the Parliamentary Secretary has discussed this matter with other Departments, how is it that he does not know that circulars in varying terms have been sent to local authorities? If I send him copies of the circulars sent by different Departments will he undertake to see that a common policy is devised for local authorities?
§ Captain CrookshankIn my reply I invited the hon. Gentleman to be good enough to let me have cases.
§ Mr. Garro JonesAnd in my Question I asked whether the right hon. and gallant Gentleman will act on the information if I send it to him.
§ Captain CrookshankI had better see the information first.