§ 27. Mr. Mitchisonasked the Minister of Supply, in relation to Government contracts put up for competitive tender in the clothing trade and in the boot and shoe trade, the practice before the war and during the war, and the present practice as regards publishing the names and prices of successful tenderers or communicating the same on request to unsuccessful tenderers; and what is the reason for changes between pre-war and present practice.
§ Sir E. BoyleBefore the war the names of successful tenderers for certain stores, including clothing and boots and shoes, were published in the Ministry of Labour Gazette if the contracts were over £500 in value. This practice was stopped early in the war and not re-introduced but the name of the successful contractor is given tobona fide inquirers. It has never been the practice to publish the prices of contracts or to communicate them to unsuccessful tenderers. I believe that the original purpose of publication of names was to enable interested bodies, such as trade unions, to ensure that firms receiving Government contracts complied with the fair wages Resolution of this House. Nowadays the general improvement in labour relations has made that particular safeguard unnecessary.