§ MR. HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if it is a fact that the Government offices are now supplied with matches, whereof the boxes bear the device "made in Sweden"; and, in such case, when, and by whose authority, the order was given, what was its amount, and what steps were taken to place it, if possible, among the English working men and women whose livelihood depends on this trade; and, finally, why the Contract was omitted from the recent Parliamentary Return of "Contracts with Foreigners" up to 31st March, 1889?
§ MR. PLUNKETThere is no direct contract made with any foreign firm for the supply of their matches. Swedish "Lion" matches and Bryant and May's matches are included in a contract made with an English firm, Messrs. E. S. Mendey and Co., of 106, Fenchurch-street, for the supply of soaps and other sundry household articles. Bryant and May's matches are supplied to the Houses of Parliament and several 53 public buildings, and are always supplied when asked for. They are not so generally supplied as the Swedish "Lion" matches, because the latter are lower in price. The contract prices are 5d. per dozen boxes for the latter, and 7d. for the former. In either case each box contains 100 or more matches.