§ Mr. Stokesasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that British Projects, Limited, to whom were entrusted six important contracts by his Department, have gone into liquidation; and what steps were taken before those contracts were let, to make sure of the firm's financial stability?
§ Sir V. WarrenderI am not aware that Messrs. British Projects, Limited have gone into liquidation, but I understand that there is shortly to be a meeting of creditors. Before the firm were placed on the Admiralty List details of 13 building and engineering works, which had been executed within two years, and which totalled more than the whole of the seven Admiralty contracts eventually allotted to the firm, were examined. Satisfactory references were given by three reputable chartered architects and in addition a reference was obtained from the firm's bank. As a result of these inquiries, which were similar to those invariably made before a firm is regarded as fit to be allowed to tender for Admiralty work, Messrs. British Projects,1358W Limited were placed on the Admiralty List in 1938. Of the seven contracts placed with the firm by the Admiralty, two were satisfactorily completed last year and five have now been determined on grounds of delay in completion.