§ MR. J. ROWLANDS (Finsbury, E.)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether in almost every other country but the United Kingdom all tenders for Government contracts, when opened, have the amounts thereof publicly disclosed; in whose interest the prices quoted in the offers lodged by tradesmen, manufacturers, and others are not now made known; and, further, in view of the recent admissions affecting the whole system of Army and Navy "Contracts and Supplies," whether he will consider the advisability, unless in rare 476 and exceptional cases, of having all tenders for Government contracts duly opened, and the amounts published?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)I am informed that the usual practice abroad is as described in the hon. Member's Question—namely, that the amounts of tenders are publicly disclosed. In the Contract Department of the War Office the prices tendered have always been regarded as confidential, in the interest not of the Department, but of the manufacturer. All tenders are duly opened by a Board, on which the supply and financial authorities of the Department are represented. I am not prepared to admit that recent statements have tended to throw doubt on the system pursued; but, on the other hand, there is a good deal to be said against secrecy; and I will undertake to consider, in conjunction with the Admiralty, whether the balance of advantage on the whole lies on the side of publicity.