Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Minister of Technology if he will give consideration to making it a condition of acceptance of schemes submitted to him for approval by the Shipbuilding Industry Board, that sub-contracted items included in the schemes should be purchased where-ever possible from British firms.
§ Mr. BennThis would not be an appropriate use of my powers under the Act, but, at my request, the Shipbuilding Industry Board will draw the attention of those seeking assistance for re-equipment to the need to give British suppliers the best practical opportunity to submit competitive tenders. I have no doubt that the firms concerned will co-operate in this respect.