Captain BENNasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the purpose of the progress branch; and what is the staff employed and the monthly cost?
1301W
§ Mr. AMERYThere is no separate progress branch, but the duties of the Visiting Inspectors of the Contract Department include ensuring the prompt delivery of stores which are not subject to inspection by technical officers during manufacture. Other duties are the inspection of premises of firms who desire to be invited to tender for Admiralty contracts, investigation of wages disputes, revision of certain contract specifications, and arrangements for exhibition of patterns to firms tendering. There are five Visiting Inspectors and three clerical assistants, the total expense monthly being about £325.