Mr. POINTERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that two firms of Government contractors, namely, the Wallsend Slipway and Engineering Company and Parsons' Marine Steam Turbine Company, follow the practice of borrowing the patterns for the turbine engines for warships in the course of construction instead of employing pattern-makers in making them; and whether that is in strict conformity with the spirit of the fair contracts clause?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe two firms named, like many other firms, use turbine patterns for Admiralty work which have been made by other firms. It is considered that the practice does not contravene the Fair Wages Clause of Admiralty contracts.