§ 1. Mr. Walker-Smithasked the Minister of Supply if he will give the comparative prices, expressed proportionately, per sleeper of pre-stressed reinforced concrete produced, respectively, in Royal Ordnance factories and by private enterprise.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussIt is contrary to established practice, either to disclose prices paid to outside contractors under Government contracts, or to give details by way of comparison which might prejudice future negotiations. In the present case, however, I can tell the hon. Member that the average price of the Royal Ordnance Factories' product is slightly higher than the trade products, due mainly to the additional transport costs of the raw materials resulting from the location of the Royal Ordnance Factories concerned.