72. Mr. Davidsonasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is satisfied that the number of contracts given to the firm of George Wimpey and Sons, Limited, by all Government Departments ensures efficiency and speed in the national war-building effort and national economy?
§ Captain CrookshankIt is the responsibility of the contracting Departments to satisfy themselves that the contractors to whom they let contracts are in a position to execute them within the requirements of the contract. To assist the contracting Departments to this end, central arrangements have been made under which they can ascertain what contracts have been let by other Departments to any particular contractor. I have no reason to think these arrangements have not been adequate in the case of the firm of George Wimpey and Sons, Limited.
Mr. DavidsonIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this firm persistently obtains contracts in areas in Scotland where they have no plant or organisation and where Scottish firms are on the spot with plant and organisation and able to do the job efficiently and capably? Is he aware that this circumstance must cause a certain amount of delay in our war effort and that it is creating in the minds of building contractors in Scotland the opinion that there is something unsavoury with regard to the manner in which this firm can obtain huge contracts?
§ Captain CrookshankI am afraid I am not aware of anything on the line which the hon. Gentleman suggests, because I have just said that this is a responsibility of the contracting Departments and not of the Treasury.
Mr. DavidsonWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman carefully consider any representations that may be made with regard to what I have said?
§ Captain CrookshankI should say that representations had better be made to the Departments which let the contracts.
§ Mr. WoodburnDo not the contracts affect a large number of Departments, and is not the only way they can be supervised through the Treasury?
§ Captain CrookshankI said in the reply to the original Question that central arrangements have been made under which Departments can ascertain what contracts have been let by other Departments to a particular contractor.
§ Mr. Garro JonesWill the Financial Secretary inform the House and Members who are greatly concerned about this matter what this central machinery is, to 594 which representations should be made, and what Minister is responsible for this machinery?
§ Captain CrookshankIf the hon. Gentleman likes to put those Questions down, I will give him considered replies, but I said in my answer that it is for the contracting Departments to satisfy themselves of the capacity of contractors to carry out their contracts.
Mr. DavidsonIn view of the unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question at the earliest opportunity.