§ 64. Sir N. Hulbertasked the Minister of Aviation if his attention has been called to a statement by a commercial firm, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Stockport, North, to the effect that they supply 85 per cent. of the survival equipment for the joint Services; if he is aware that there are three or four other companies 114W capable of supplying his Department's requirements; and to what extent it is his policy to concentrate production of this vital equipment on one firm.
§ Mr. RipponYes. Of the life rafts bought for the joint Services, about 85 per cent. by number and 55 per cent. by value come from the firm in question. Its proprietary designs are especially well suited to most of the air-borne requirements. On the basis of some of these designs there is now competitive tendering.