§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that when Scottish printing firms are asked to tender for Government printing, great inconvenience is caused by their being instructed to call at His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, to see a specimen of the job required; and whether he will arrange that specimens of such jobs be made available for inspection at His Majesty's Stationery Office, George Street, Edinburgh?
597W
§ Captain CrookshankIn about 50 per cent. of the tenders the specification contains sufficient technical information for estimating purposes. In about 30 per cent. of the tenders only one original specimen is available. In the remaining 20 per cent. specimens will be exhibited in Edinburgh except in a case of special urgency which precludes such exhibition. I should add that in the case of contracts running for a term of years specimens are exhibited in Edinburgh where the work is suitable for Scottish firms.