§ MR. MAURICE HEALYI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the military canteens in Cork are supplied by a London co-operative society, thereby shutting out all local trade; whether, before the arrangement was made, local firms were given an opportunity of ten- 438 dering for the contract; and whether steps will be taken to change or modify a system so injurious to the trade of the locality.
* MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSThe canteens in Cork are supplied by contractors selected by a board of officers representing the several regiments, with the approval of general officer commanding. Local firms had every opportunity for tendering; a large number did so, and three of the four successful firms were local. The Secretary of State does not propose to interfere with the discretion of the officers on the spot.
§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)May I ask whether it is the fact that the contract has been given to this canteen society at a price in excess of that quoted by the local contractors?
§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, N.E.)Has any contract been entered into with this society in the Cork district previous to this year?