Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Minister of Supply whether he can give an assurance that the system establishing district representative organisations of small firms is proving helpful to the national effort and satisfactory to the small firms concerned?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanThe conditions under which groups of small firms may be formed for the purpose of tendering for Ministry of Supply contracts have been published in the Press, and my right hon. Friend is anxious to encourage the formation of such groups in suitable cases. A 1351W number of groups have been formed, and while it is too early to form conclusions as to their working, there is every prospect that they will be able to render valuable assistance in the national effort.