§ MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork City)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, why, when the Irish Constabulary authorities were recently advertising for tenders for Irish woollen material for policemen's overcoats, the advertisements were published in none of the Cork newspapers, though Cork is the principal seat of the woollen industry in Ireland; whether he is aware that in consequence of this the advertisements escaped the notice of the Cork manufacturers until it was too late to tender; whether, under the 1547 circumstances, the time for supplying samples will be extended; and, whether, in future, such advertisements will be published in the Cork newspapers?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe advertisements in question were inserted in the four daily newspapers, as well as in a weekly general advertising medium, all of which are published in Dublin and circulate throughout Ireland, including Cork. It was considered that the publicity thus given to the matter would be sufficient, and as proof of its sufficiency I may mention that applications for specimens of the cloth have been received from various parts of Ireland, including three from Cork and its vicinity. There is no reason to believe that manufacturers who may intend to forward samples will not be able to do so before the 23rd instant, the date mentioned in the advertisements. However, I am willing to extend the period by a week beyond that date. Upon the information at present before me, I do not think any advantage would be gained by inserting these advertisements in the Cork newspapers. Such a course would necessarily involve their publication in local newspapers elsewhere at a considerable additional expense.