8. Mrs. Slaterasked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the extra cost of road-making resulting from the identical tendering of firms to local authorities for materials needed in this work.
§ Mr. MarplesI have received no representations on this score, nor have I any evidence that any measurable increase in construction costs arises in this way.
Mrs. SlaterWould the right hon. Gentleman be interested if I sent him the last list of tenders which the Stoke-on-Trent authority had? Would he be prepared to take it up with his other right hon. Friend, because every local authority is deeply concerned that these rings and monopolies keep up the price of these commodities which are essential 220 to road making? If the right hon. Gentleman wants more road-making done, is not this one way in which he could save expenditure?
§ Mr. MarplesI should be very glad of any evidence which the hon. Lady has, but the question of restrictive trade practices is for the President of the Board of Trade. If the hon. Lady writes to me I will certainly look into it.