§ 65. Mr. Shortasked the Secretary of State for War why his Department refuses to pay the cost of mattresses ordered from the workshops for the adult blind in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, thereby making it necessary for the ratepayers to subsidise each mattress supplied to the extent of three shillings.
§ Mr. ProfumoThe National Association of Workshops for the Blind is one of a number of non-profit making organisations which are given preference in the allocation of a fair share of suitable Government contracts at fair market prices. Under this scheme my Department has negotiated a contract with the Headquarters of the National Association for the supply of mattresses for the Army. I am not responsible for the financial operation of any particular workshop which has been given work under this contract by the Association.