§ MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, having regard to the fact that the contract for the boots for the Irish telegraph messengers has been given to an English firm, will he state whether the tenders for the contract were advertised in the Irish papers; and, if so, will he give the names of such papers; and whether the firm that has secured the contract pays the standard rates of wages of the district and conforms to the conditions of the Fair Wages Resolution of this House.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, E.The practice of advertising the Irish boot contract has been discontinued, as it was found that no replies were received except from firms who are invidted to tender year after year. This year, when tenders were first invited from nine of the best known firms in Ireland, only two were received; and when, subsequently, revised tenders were invited from five firms, three were received. The form of tender for the English contract contains the Fair Wages Clause.
§ MR. NANNETTIMay I ask the hon. Gentleman to see that in future these contracts are placed in Ireland, and to inquire if the present contractors comply with the Fair Wages Resolution?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI am not prepared to pledge myself that these contracts shall be kept in Ireland unless I can see that some good result will accrue, and that we shall have greater competition than under the present system. If evidence to that effect is laid before me, I will consider it. As regards the second Question, I have already told the hon. Member that the present contractor complies with the Fair Wages Resolution; but if facts are laid before me showing prima facie evidence that that is not so, I will take the necessary action. But I cannot act without evidence.