§ Mr. Kirbyasked the Secretary of State for Air whether, having in mind the heavy degree of unemployment in the city of Liverpool, he will consider giving special priority to the claims of that city when placing Air Ministry contracts?
§ Sir K. WoodIt is the practice of my Department when placing contracts to give a preference, other things being equal, to areas suffering from severe and prolonged unemployment, but I am afraid that it would not be practicable to accord special priority to Liverpool in this respect, without regard to such factors as the capacity available or the results of competitive tendering.