§ 35. Major Lyonsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings the amount of fees credited or paid to the firm of Messrs. T. P. Bennett and Son from 1st January, 1941, to date?
§ Mr. HicksSince 1st January, 1941, commissions have been given to the firm of Messrs. T. P. Bennett and Son, under 1174 which the fees payable will be between £22,800 and £28,800, in accordance with the services which the firm are required to render. The sum of £6,680 has been paid on account.
§ Major LyonsIs any member of this firm one of the Directors of the Ministry about whom the Minister has been speaking?
§ Mr. HicksI understand that the hon. and gallant Member is asking about Mr. T. P. Bennett. He is one of the unpaid Directors referred to in my previous answer.
§ Major LyonsDo we understand that this gentleman, who is an unpaid Director and a member of this firm, has had this benefit during one year of service?
§ Mr. HicksSince the outbreak of war, about 200 architects have been employed. I do not know whether the House would like to lay down an instruction that, in the pursuit of the war effort, we should invite men from any walk of life and that immediately they come in to give their advice or assistance the whole work of their firms is to be cut off. If we did so, we should soon be very short of such assistance.