§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade what procedure is adopted by his Department in the disposal of surplus Government factories; and whether he will assure the House that small businesses, outside of the big combines and cartels, have the same opportunity of acquiring these premises as the large combines.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe allocation of surplus Government factories is made normally in accordance with the recommendation of an Interdepartmental Committee which is guided by criteria of national interest. Particulars of these criteria have been published and I am sending my hon. Friend a note on the subject. All manufacturers wishing to use surplus Government factories have been invited to register their requirements with my Department, and they are notified whenever suitable premises become available. Small businesses have exactly the same opportunity as large ones.