HC Deb 19 March 1940 vol 358 cc1789-90
19. Sir Richard Acland

asked the Secretary of State for War in relation to the £460,000 worth of building contracts held by Western Engineering, Limited, from the War Office, what are the names of the individuals who are engaged in supervising the work in the way in which an architect would supervise such work for a lay client; what are their qualifications; and what is the estimated total of their salaries or other remuneration and its relation to the value of the jobs they are supervising?

Mr. Stanley

I have called for a report from the Command concerned, by whom the detailed arrangements for supervision are made, and I will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

22. Sir R. Acland

asked the Secretary of State for War the accepted tender price for the plumbing sub-contract at a certain camp in Somerset; the final price paid; and whether he will order an investigation into the matter by a qualified person of unquestionably good repute?

Mr. Stanley

The sub-contract in question covered plumbing, heating, ventilating and external water services, and also sanitary fittings. Tenders were invited on the basis that each tenderer priced a provisional bill of quantities, and those prices were applied to the actual quantities as ascertained by measurement. The final price has not yet been determined, because certain measurements have not yet been finally agreed with the firm who executed the service. It would be contrary to practice to disclose contract prices. If the hon. Member is aware of any circumstances which suggest that special inquiry is warranted, perhaps he will apprise me of them.

Sir R. Acland

On a point of Order. The last part of my Question has been somewhat altered, without reference to me. The Question, as drawn up by me, asked whether the Minister would accept the offer of persons of good repute to investigate the matter. I do not know whether it is material, but there has been a slight alteration.

Mr. Stanley

Of course, I have answered the Questions which were on the Paper; and that has nothing to do with me.

23. Sir R. Acland

asked the Secretary of State for War the name of the head contractor of a certain camp in Yorkshire; his previous profession; and what buildings has he himself erected under his own charge before the outbreak of war?

Mr. Stanley

No contract has yet been let, but negotiations are in progress with Messrs. Button's, Limited, for the erection of a training camp which they will undertake to take over for their own use, on terms satisfactory to the War Office, at the end of the war. I understand that the profession of this company is the erection and running of holiday camps, and that camps to the value of over £1,000,000 have been erected by them.

Sir R. Acland

When it is said that they erect those camps, does that mean that they have supervised the building? Do not they just order the erection of the camps as I might order the building of a house?

Mr. Stanley

The fact remains that their business is either building holiday camps or getting holiday camps built for them; and they have very great knowledge of the subject.