Mr. Philips Priceasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the Edison Swan Electric Company of Lydhook, Gloucestershire, has been experiencing a shortage of orders for cables which may cause some unemployment in the Forest of Dean; and whether, in order to avoid this, he will see that Government Departments place some orders with this industry.
§ Mr. LowSubject to the Government's policy of giving a certain preference to firms in Development and unemployment areas, the allocation of Ministry of Supply orders to any particular firm de pends on whether they offer the most favourable prices and deliveries when tendering for contracts. The volume of orders placed by the Ministry of Supply depends on the requirements of the Services.