§ Mr. Parkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, why the work done 618W by his Department for the Ministry of Supply, such as ordnance factories, national depots, etc., is subject to the same restrictions with regard to tendering as operated in peace time for the ordinary work of his Department; whether he is aware that the Ministry of Supply does not impose such restrictions on work clone directly for it, and whether he will remove these restrictions for such work?
§ Mr. MabaneThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The restrictions with regard to tendering which operate in peace time have been modified to suit war conditions. Steps have been taken to expedite the procedure in cases of urgency, but it would not be in the public interest, from the point of view of both efficiency and economy, to abandon the competitive tender system entirely.