§ 14. Mr. Orr-Ewingasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that the camps built during the last nine months have been constructed in such a way as to reduce maintenance costs to a minimum?
§ Mr. StanleyThese camps were so urgently required that considerations of the nature suggested had necessarily to be treated as of secondary importance. But, subject to this requirement, those materials have been chosen which will give the best service and consequently need the minimum of maintenance.
§ Mr. Orr-EwingWhile I fully recognise the urgency of the situation under which these camps were built, can my right hon. Friend assure the House that the contractors have not made undue profits from the use of unsuitable materials?
§ Mr. StanleyAs the House is aware, we are now in a position to go back to the ordinary system of tendering. These camps were built in a special emergency last summer, and every possible effort was made in difficult circumstances to see that no undue profit was made.