§ 13. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Minister of Labour the value of the orders executed by Remploy Limited during the last financial year for Government Departments; and what percentage this formed of total Remploy Limited output.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe figure, for the financial year 1953–54, was £1,050,000. This was 45 per cent. of the total sales of Remploy Limited in that year.
§ Mr. ThomsonWhilst thanking the Minister for that very helpful reply, may I ask him to bear in mind the need to consult his colleagues in the Government with a view to arranging these welcome Government orders on the basis of long-term contracts, thereby increasing the efficiency of Remploy, extending their usefulness, and reducing the subsidy?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI will consider that, but perhaps there is more scope in local government for increasing contracts than in national Government.
Mr. LeeDoes the Department of the hon. Gentleman have any more success these days with the Home Office in getting this work done by Remploy instead of it going to prisoners in jails?
§ Mr. WatkinsonWe do our best with all Departments.