§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether it has been brought to his notice that the East Indian Railway Company, which is guaranteed by the Indian Government in respect of its interest, has recently placed orders in Germany for wheels and axles instead of in Sheffield, and if the representative of the Government or the Board will be instructed to urge that the shipments shall at least be effected on British ships.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingMy honourable friend is aware that the Secretary of State, although he is represented upon the boards of the guaranteed Indian railways, does not control the management or working of the lines. I am informed that for business reasons, as well as on patriotic grounds, a decided preference is given as a rule to goods of English manufacture; but in this case the difference in price, amounting to about £12,350 between Messrs. Krupp's tender and the lowest available English tender, was so great as to make it impossible to adhere to the usual practice. The principles which govern the acceptance of tenders for goods apply equally to tenders for freight. I do not propose to give any special instructions on this occasion, but I have no doubt that British shipping will be employed, unless its employment would involve an unreasonable charge upon the company.