§ Mr. Lindsayasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings who is responsible for seeing 1545W that constructional plant is available for largo and small contractors engaged on Government work; whether any plant census has been made; and whether he is aware that large contractors have undertaken work far in excess of their capacity, with the result that Departments are paying large sums to contractors for plant lying idle on the site?
§ Mr. HicksThe responsibility for the provision of the necessary constructional plant for building works rests with the contractor, but the building supply department concerned has power to requisition plant if necessary from any owner or hirer. Except on rare occasions this action has not been necessary and I am aware of no complaints of shortage of plant. A general plant census was made by the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors at the beginning of the war and further censuses have been made from time to time. I do not know of any circumstances such as described in the last part of the Question, but I should be glad to investigate any facts that the hon. Member may bring to my notice.