§ MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office, whether he is aware that the supplies to the canteens in Ireland are charged at higher prices by the contractors than those formerly paid to Irish firms; whether he can make arrangements by which Irish firms will get a share of these contracts; and whether he will see that Irish manufacturers will get an opportunity of tendering for the supply of the refreshments supplied to the troops in Ireland.
LORD STANLEYAs I have explained to the House on previous occasions, the supplies of canteens are in the hands of general officers, who are alive to the necessity of buying in the best and cheapest market. It has already been pointed out to them that, other things being equal, there are advantages in favour of patronising local firms.