§ MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)asked whether attention had been drawn to the recent rejection of a tender for Army boots made by the Finedon Co-operative Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Company; whether he is aware that the tender was at a higher price than the previous tenders of the Company; that this higher price was fixed by the Committee, acting on the advice of the then manager and secretary, and that the manager and secretary made a separate tender on their own account at a lower price and obtained the contract; and whether the manager and secretary obtained the contract by representations which fully and truthfully complied with the conditions on which such contracts are issued; and, if not, whether he will direct the contract to be cancelled, and permit the Company to send in an amended tender?
§ MR. BRODRICKI cannot go into the proceedings between the Finedon Co-operative Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Company and their secretary and manager; but it is evident that the latter obtained a recent contract for Army boots through representations to the Director of Army Contracts, since proved to be misleading, and their names will be struck off the list of contractors. Legal advice will be taken as to whether the present contract (which is a very small one) can be cancelled. Arrangements have been made to give employment to the Finedon and other co-operative societies in Northamptonshire at the average price of the last competition.