§ MR. HOYLE (Lancashire, S.E., Heywood)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the Superin- 884 tendent of Army Clothing, Madras, in inviting tenders for the use of the Army Clothing Department for the official year 1888–9, uses the following words, "Articles of European manufacture are not required;" and, if so, why are goods of Lancashire and Yorkshire manufacture practically excluded from competition, without any reference to quality or price?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)It is a rule of the Indian Service that articles of European manufacture must be purchased through the Stores Department of the India Office, in order that they may be properly inspected in this country before being sent out. A large demand for Army clothing for Madras for 1888–9 is now being dealt with in that Department. Where it is found to be more economical to use an article of local manufacture or indigenous origin the purchase is effected in India. The expression referred to in the Question, which does not seem a very happy one, appears intended to give notice of this limitation of authority to purchase on the part of the Government of Madras. The Secretary of State will call the attention of the Madras Government to the subject.