§ Mr. Saltasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that considerable inconvenience is being caused by the laxity in payments by Government Departments for war work completed by firms contracting for their work; and will he inquire into the cause of these delays, whereby contracting firms are obliged to seek bank overdrafts with consequential unnecessary expenditure in bank charges and their added inability to pay current expenses and Income Tax while the Government are withholding money due to them?
§ Captain CrookshankYes, Sir, I am aware that there have been complaints. Arrangements have recently been made for accelerating both progress and final payments on Government contracts, and I hope, therefore, that the cause of these complaints will disappear.
§ Mr. Thurtleasked the Minister of Supply the number and value of contracts for supplies given to the firm of M, and A. Mutkin, Limited, of Leytonstone, in the last 12 months?
§ Mr. BurginIt would be contrary to established practice to disclose information regarding contracts made with particular firms.