§ Mr. Naylorasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will arrange that all new work given out by His Majesty's Stationery Office shall be placed with firms located in those towns where unemployment among printers is exceptionally severe?
§ Captain CrookshankThe amount of new work is relatively small, as the greater part of the printing required for the Government service is provided for under long-term contracts which are held by firms in all parts of the country. Except where the nature of the work necessitates its execution in London, long-term contracts are open to all firms.
New work not provided for under the long-term contracts is dealt with under ad hoc contracts which must be placed with firms capable of executing such work. While I am aware that there is severe unemployment among printers in certain areas, I fear that it would be impracticable to effect a distribution of the work on the basis suggested by the hon. Member. Much of the work, moreover, is specialised in character and unsuited for definite allocation to any particular area. The primary consideration in putting out contracts must be to secure that the needs of the public service are satisfied efficiently and speedily.