§ 50. Mr. Levyasked the Minister of Supply why only a limited number of large firms have been given an opportunity of tendering for the plant for an overseas country, particulars of which have been sent to him.
§ The Minister of Supply (Sir Andrew Duncan)Open competitive tendering for large plants such as these is not practicable in present circumstances. The contracts are spread as widely as possible amongst those manufacturers who have the necessary experience and the available manufacturing capacity.
§ Mr. LevyAre we to understand from that reply that only a favoured few are entitled to these large contracts, and that the many are prevented from even making a tender, or having the opportunity to say whether they can manufacture this plant?
§ Sir A. DuncanNo, that is quite a wrong conclusion.