§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Aviation Supply, why he will not cease the present practice whereby his Department keep under constant review the prices and charges for which he has responsibility and initiate a system of monthly reviews of such prices and charges to enable him to show from month to month to what extent since June, 1970 the Government's policy of reducing prices and costs is operating so far as it affects his departmental responsibilities; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourI have been asked to reply.
As has been explained earlier, the Ministry of Aviation Supply is mainly concerned with long-term contracts for complex equipments. Monthly reviews of prices would therefore serve no useful purpose.—[Vol. 815, c. 55–6.]