§ CAPTAIN DONELANOn behalf of the hon. Member for North Cork, I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in regard to the contracts for the supplies to regimental canteens in Ireland, and in view of his statement of the 15th instant that general officers have discretionary power to make district contracts when they consider it in the interests of the troops, opportunity will be given to local merchants and traders to tender for supplies; and whether in those cases where the conditions as to price, quality, and terms are satisfactory, the claims of local contractors will be favourably considered.
* MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSAs I have already told the hon. Member, the Secretary of State sees no reason for 796 interfering with the action of the general officers commanding the districts in Ireland, or elsewhere, in connection with supplies to canteens.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANWill preference be given to Irish traders in this matter?
* MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSI have only this instant told the hon. Gentleman that the discretion is left in the hands of the commanding officer of the district.