§ Sir W. Jenkinsasked the Minister of Supply what steps he has taken to give a share of Government contracts to the Gilbertson works at Pontardawe and district, in the tin and sheet mills, also steel works, where a large number of skilled workers have been idle for a considerable time; and will he take immediate action to restart these works?
§ Mr. BurginThe productive capacity of Messrs. Richard Thomas and Company, who own the Gilbertson works at Pontardawe and other extensive plant elsewhere is well known to the Ministry of Supply, and I can assure the hon.842W Member that their services are being utilised to the fullest possible extent for Government orders.
§ Sir W. Jenkinsasked the Minister of Supply what number of Government contracts in Glamorgan has been advertised since the beginning of 1939, to date; whether all tenders have been open to local contractors and, if not, why; will he state why building and general contractors in the Neath and Swansea Valley areas are not given an opportunity to make use of their skilled workmen who are now idle; and will he take steps to give equal treatment to areas which are badly hit by unemployment?
§ Mr. BurginIt is not the practice of the Ministry of Supply to advertise for tenders but to invite quotations by tender from firms noted on the lists maintained by the Department for that purpose. Contractors in Glamorgan who are noted on the Department's lists are accorded the same opportunities as firms in other areas to quote for supplies as occasions arise. The position with regard to building contracts in South Wales was dealt with in the answer given to a Question by the hon. Member on 31st January last.