Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Minister of Labour whether any firm can now tender for Government contracts if it is not in the King's Roll; and how many contracts have been given through the Ministry of Labour during the past three months ending 30th September?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThe present position is that any firm invited to tender for a Government contract may do so without being on the King's National Roll, but in the allocation of contracts preference is given to firms on the Roll. The recommendation made by the Select Committee on Pensions and by the Committee on Re-employment of Ex-service men to the effect that, after a date to be fixed, Government contracts should be limited to firms whose names are on the Roll is now receiving the consideration of the Government. (The contracts placed by1020W the Ministry of Labour are very few in number and insignificant in amount, consisting mainly of local purchases for the training establishments. The more important contracts are placed by the Office of Works.)