§ 67. Mr. Liddallasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, in the case of how many firms his Department have insisted upon the Government being supplied with fittings for buildings at 7½ per cent. below the rate at which such goods are supplied to private firms.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. Hicks)The rebate of 7½ per cent. applies to 18 firms in one industry producing one class of building components, in respect of all Government business, direct and indirect. It was accepted by the industry as a convenient and suitable way of controlling prices of the material of which Government was the principal purchaser. The figure was arrived at after consideration of the industry's general costs, but obviates detailed costing of individual contracts.