§ MR. ECROYD (for Mr. HOULDSWORTH)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, If it be true that Contracts for ironwork for the Indian State Railways have been entered into by the officials of the India Office with Foreign manufacturers; and, whether it is the case that, when tenders are invited, the specificatiotns issued to British manufacturers stipulate that only British iron shall be used, while those sent to Foreign firms contain no such stipulation?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSTwo contracts for axle boxes, amounting to about £5,600, have been entered into with a foreign firm. The same specification is issued to all who tender whether they be foreign or British firms. In the case of axle boxes there is no stipulation that only British iron may be used.