HC Deb 26 June 1888 vol 327 cc1273-4
MR. CREMER (Shoreditch, Haggerston)

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether any order has been recently given for Slade Wallis accoutrements; and, if so, to whom the order was given, and what quantity was ordered; whether the order, although given to Captain Slade Wallis, was executed by Alexander Ross and Company, of Grange Road, Bermondsey, who, in March last, were struck off the list of Army contractors; and, whether 600 sets of such accoutrements are to be delivered at Woolwich during the present week?

THE SECRETARY or STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)

Six hundred pouches of this pattern were ordered from Messrs. Ross and Company before that firm was struck off the list of contractors. Another order has been given to Colonel Slade Wallis, who is responsible that the supplies are equal to pattern. I have no knowledge whence he obtains his materials.

MR. HANBURY (Preston)

asked, whether the War Office admitted the right of one contractor to hand over the work to be performed by another?

MR. E. STANHOPE

said, the Government did all in their power to deal directly with the contractor; but they could not always be certain as to who made the articles.

MR. CREMER

asked, if the Department would receive evidence on this subject?

MR. E. STANHOPE

said, he would be glad to consider any evidence that might be submitted to him.