HC Deb 13 June 1939 vol 348 cc1130-1W
Colonel Burton

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give an assurance that the failure of Messrs. E. D. Winn and Company will not cause any delay in the completion of the anti-aircraft establishment at a cost of £500,000; and whether he can state the date the contract was entered into, and what inquiries were made to ascertain the financial ability of the firm to carry out the work?

Sir V. Warrender

A certain amount of delay in completion of the service is inevitable in the circumstances. This will, however, be kept to a minimum, as instructions have already been given to another firm to proceed with the remainder of the work. The contract was entered into on 3rd October, 1938. Inquiries as to the financial standing of Messrs. E. D. Winn and Company, Limited, were made in the usual quarters.

Sir R. Tasker

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will have inquiries made regarding a certain percentage added to tenders submitted for the erection of Territorial Army buildings in London, a portion of which is for the benefit of a body known as the London Builders' Conference?

Sir V. Warrender

This matter is already the subject of inquiry.