§ MR. PATRICK M'HUGHI beg to ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that tenders for Army contracts at Athlone, Birr, Boyle, Carlow, Castlebar, Dublin, Galway, Killbride Camp, Longford, Maryborough, Mullingar, Naas, Navan, Sligo and Wicklow, were called for on 18th November 1896. Is he aware that advertisements calling for tenders were inserted in Dublin papers but not in any local papers; and, will he instruct the persons responsible for the issue of such advertisements to have them in future inserted in local papers circulating at the stations named?
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.The selection of newspapers in which to advertise local contracts is left to the discretion of the General Officer Commanding the district, who in the case referred to thought it right to advertise in Dublin papers only. The Secretary of State does not consider it desirable to interfere in the matter, as the officer on the spot is most likely to be able to judge accurately of the necessities of each case.