§ CAPTAIN NORTONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to a case of sweating of two degrees in connection with Government contracts for Army accoutrements, which came to light at the Thames Police Court on the 29th of last month; and whether he will investigate this and similiar cases, and strike off the contractors' list all firms that have I been guilty of any infringement of the House of Commons Resolution of 6th March, 1893, during any period since the outbreak of the war in South Africa.
LORD STANLEYThe attention of the War Office had already been drawn to the case reported. The case cannot, however, be identified as having any connection with contracts entered into by 523 the War Department. I shall be glad of any information which may enable me to trace the contract.