HC Deb 07 May 1941 vol 371 c830
6. Mr. David Adam

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the Eighth Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure recommending that in many cases teams of professional men who had previously worked together as firms would be likely to be more effective than a technical section of a Government Department built up primarily to perform certain functions; and to what extent this advice has been followed by his own Department in connection with constructional work generally?

The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Captain Harold Balfour)

Yes, Sir. The recommendation was fully considered last year, when the Committee's Report was published. My Department had already been employing firms of quantity surveyors and land agents, and has since employed firms of engineers on certain specialised work. This policy will be continued.

Mr. Adams

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware, of course, that certain Departments of State have already adopted this principle?