§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what Admiralty contracts have been secured in the last twelve months by the Thames Iron Works; and, whether, in deciding on the acceptance or rejection of the tenders in question, the rate of wages prevailing on the Thames, or any other consideration, was taken into account, or whether each accepted tender of the Thames Iron Works was the lowest tender put in for the particular work in question.
MR. GOSCHENThe Thames Iron Works Company have received contracts for two battleships, a sloop, and a store ship in the course of the last twelve months. My reply to the enquiry of the honourable Member as to whether, in connection with the placing of these contracts, the rate of wages prevailing on the Thames, or any other consideration, was taken into account, is in the negative. The tenders were simply accepted because they were the most advantageous for the public service.