§ Sir L. Lyleasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, as all firms are compelled to charge the same price for home-produced hen eggs, he will instruct his Department no longer to issue three foolscap tender sheets for completion to numerous firms in connection with each contract; and whether he will see that 935W steps are taken to remedy all such waste of paper?
Mr. AlexanderThe implication in my hon. Friend's Question that prices for eggs are fixed is not correct. Firms are at liberty to supply below the Ministry of Food rates, which are maximum prices. Quotations received by the Admiralty have varied considerably and those accepted were sufficiently below the maximum prices to justify the customary procedure of inviting competitive tenders. Inquiries were kept to the minimum necessary to secure effective competition, and the number of forms issued was quite small. Strict instructions have been issued and a careful watch is kept by the Admiralty on the economical use of paper.