asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether any recent contracts have been placed on a cost-plus-percentage basis; and whether he can give an assurance that all future contracts will be made either at a fixed price or on a cost-plus-fixed-profit basis?

During the four weeks ended 16th September, 1941, two contracts were placed on the basis of payment to the contractor of actual ascertained cost plus a percentage of the cost as profit. This type of contract has only been made because it was not possible to estimate the extent or cost of the work in advance.