HC Deb 29 May 1940 vol 361 cc541-2
50. Mr. Levy

(for Sir George Mitcheson) asked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been drawn to the financial difficulties facing many small contractors and sub-contractors to His Majesty's Government, caused by the request of the Supply Departments to work overtime, night-shifts, and during week-ends, as a result of which such firms will experience difficulty in finding, for the time being, the cash needed to pay wages; and what steps he proposes to take to help such firms?

Mr. H. Morrison

The Ministry of Supply rely in the main on the banking system of the country to provide such financial assistance as is required by contractors to carry out their contracts, and action has been taken to secure the co-operation of the banks for the purpose. My Department is, however, always ready to advise any contractor who is in financial difficulties.