§ MR. M'COANasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, as the season is now approaching for the usual despatch of Troops from Ireland to Foreign stations, and in view of the fact that the clothing for the Royal Irish Constabulary is now supplied by firms in Dublin and Limerick, he will extend the recent regulation under which Irish manufacturers have been invited to execute small trial orders of military stores, by similarly inviting local tenders for the sea kits necessary for the drafts leaving Ireland on Foreign service during the coming season? The hon. Member had also the following Question upon the Notice Paper:—To ask the Postmaster General, Whether, seeing that the uniforms of the Royal Irish Constabulary are now supplied by Dublin and Limerick firms, he will re-consider the question of inviting local Irish tenders for the clothing and such other stores of the Irish Postal and Telegraph Services as native manufactures can furnish?
§ MR. CHILDERSMy right hon. Friend the Postmaster General has asked me to reply to the Question addressed to him by the hon. Member for Wicklow, and I will therefore answer the two Questions together. As to the sea-kits, those required for the present season have been already provided; but for the future, both with respect to sea kits and to the clothing required by the 626 Post Office Department, whether in. Great Britain or Ireland, I will give Irish firms an opportunity of tendering, and I shall be very glad if they succeed in getting a fair share of the work, provided the necessary conditions both. as to price and workmanship are observed. I have already informed the House that I wish to localize contracts as far as possible, and I will consider during the autumn whether we can give additional facilities for local inspection, especially in Ireland. The Postmaster General informs me that he is endeavouring to buy stores in Ireland as far as possible.