HC Deb 14 October 1942 vol 383 cc1650-1W
Mr. Bossom

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether he can explain how his Ministry decides on the eligibility of small contractors to handle work of different values; and whether, in view of the fact that Government work to-day is of a very simple character, smaller contractors can be entrusted with work of a higher value?

Mr. Hicks

After consultation with leaders of the different interests in the building and civil engineering industries a formula has been adopted for assessing the ability of firms to undertake further work at any given time. The standard adopted is based upon but not limited to the average annual turnover of the firms during the years 1939 to 1941 and provides for considerably greater elasticity in the case of the smaller firms.