§ COLONEL HILL (Bristol, S.)On behalf of the hon. Baronet the Member for the Kirkdale Division of Liverpool, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether any list is kept at the India Office of firms who are invited to tender for supplies for the Government; and whether the issue of notices inviting tenders is confined to firms on such list; and, if so, what are the qualifications which enable a firm to be placed on the list?
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERA list of firms known to be capable of executing contracts for stores required for Indian service is kept at the India Office. The 42 issue of invitations to tender is confined to firms on this list, except in cases where the requirements are notified by public advertisement. The only qualifications for admission to the list of contractors is proved ability to execute contracts.