§ MR. SHEEHAN (Cork Co., Mid.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in response to an invitation of the Chief Inspector, Royal Army Clothing Department, a tender was recently put in by an Irish firm for the supply of 5,000 yards of blue Army serge, and that the said tender was declined, and will he explain whether the non-acceptance of the tender was due to the price being too high or the time for delivery too long, and state any other cause of refusal.
LORD STANLEYI am aware that an Irish firm tendered for this contract; the tender was not accepted as the price was too high.
§ MR. SHEEHANWill the noble lord consider the desirability of in future placing these tenders with Irish firms, whose serge is so superior—
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!