HC Deb 24 March 1952 vol 498 c28
59. Mr. W. J. Taylor

asked the Minister of Supply if his attention has been drawn to circular letters, copies of which have been shown to him, sent out by a firm offering to act as agent on commission for obtaining armament subcontracts; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

The Minister of Supply (Mr. Duncan Sandys)

Yes, Sir. It was made clear to the firm in questioin that the Ministry of Supply disapproved of this activity and I understand it has now ceased.

Mr. Taylor

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that satisfactory reply, may I ask him whether he will go a little further and say that, to discourage any future undesirable activity of this kind, he will keep in closer touch with the engineering associations when compiling his list of approved sub-contractors so as to provide a proper opportunity for the smaller firms to play their full part in the re-armament drive?

Mr. Sandys

The Ministry of Supply regional organisation have already got very full lists of potential sub-contracting capacity, and its staff are available to give advice to all firms looking for subcontracts.