§ 7. Mr. Peter Thorneycroftasked the Secretary of State for Air why paint contractors to his Department are compelled to provide their own paint store.
§ Mr. A. HendersonThis is a usual condition in painting contracts and enables contractors to arrange for the correct type of storage for their paint Air Ministry accommodation, if available, may be used at the contractor's wish.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftMay I take it from that answer that no contractor will be compelled in future to use timber in erecting a special store of his own when there is plenty of accommodation in the camp concerned?
§ Mr. HendersonI cannot give any such assurance. I understand that the usual practice in this trade is that in the case of large contracts the contractor is required to provide his own storage accommodation.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftDoes the right hon. and learned Gentleman appreciate the extraordinary waste of timber that is taking place in this case?
§ Mr. HendersonI do not think so. I understand that these little stores do not take up so much timber, and they place responsibility for the paint stored there on the contractor and not on the station commander.