§ Mr. RONALD McNEILLasked the First Commission of Works how many contracts have been made by his Department on behalf of local authorities; what are the local authorities concerned; what 1818W is the total sum involved in the case of each of such authorities; and if he can give figures enabling a comparison to be made between the cost of work undertaken by his Department and the same or similar work as tendered for by building contractors?
§ Sir A. MONDThe only contract made by this Department on behalf of a local authority in connection with housing, schemes is that executed on behalf of the Poplar Borough Council on a prime cost basis. The total estimated cost of the scheme, which is now approaching completion, amounts to £121,800, including overhead charges. As none of the schemes now being executed by this Department has yet been completed it is not possible to make any comparison of cost with other schemes executed by outside contractors.