It is the policy of the Ministry of Works and Buildings to spread opportunities of tendering for its contracts as widely as possible among suitable firms and the claims of firms established in the vicinity of proposed works are always carefully considered. We have taken special steps to secure that the smaller and medium-sized builders are considered and there are some hundreds of this type of builder now working for the Ministry. The large firms are brought in for the large jobs or for work which presents particular difficulties. It should, however, be noted that the Government building programme has now passed its peak and is growing substantially less.