HC Deb 17 December 1902 vol 116 cc1492-3
MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether foreign hay is being supplied to the artillery camp in the Glen of Imaal, county Wicklow; if so, can he state the names of the contractors and the period for which the contract has been made; whether tenders for the contract were invited by advertisement in the Wicklow or other Irish papers; and whether the forage contractors resident in the district of Imaal were given any opportunity of tendering for the supply of hay to the camp.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, Guildford

The camp is not at present occupied, and therefore no hay is being supplied to it. In readiness for the last training the General Officer Commanding Curragh obtained tenders and made contracts for the supplies required for a period of about four months. The forage contractor was Mr. P. Fitzgerald. I am not aware whether the requirements were advertised.

MR. JAMES O'CONNOR

Can the right hon. Gentleman say where Mr. Fitzgerald resides?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WYNDHAM,) Dover

I cannot, but I should judge from his name that he is an Irishman.

MR. JAMES O'CONNOR

But he does not live in Ireland.

MR. WYNDHAM

No.

MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)

Why was not this contract advertised in the Dublin papers? Is it not usual to do so?

MR. WYNDHAM

Yes, but in this case it was not thought necessary.

MR. NANNETTI

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that they are so advertised in the future?

MR. WYNDHAM

I see no reason to change the existing system, which has been followed with advantage for many years.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Was the lowest tender accepted?

MR. WYNDHAM

That is the usual practice. If the lowest tender were passed over it would be because it was thought the tenderer would not be able to carry it out.

MR. NANNETTI

Will the right hon. gentleman take care that the Fair Wages Resolution of the House of Commons is enforced in these cases, so that there shall be no exploiting of cheap labour?

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order.

MR. TULLY (Leitrim, S.)

Was the advertisement sent to the Freeman's Journal?

MR. NANNETTI

Send it to Tully's paper.