§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, whether he can state what firms have been entrusted with contracts for the supply of preserves for seamen, and the quantity contracted for by each firm; whether the contracts contain a fair wages clause; whether any part of the supply has yet been sent in; and whether any of the supplies have been rejected as not being up to the standard in weight or quality.
(Answered by Mr. Arnold-Farster.) It is not considered to be for the public interest to furnish the names of the successfu tenderers. Contracts for preserves, in common with all other Admiralty contracts, contain a Fair Wages Clause. O 1383 the total quantity of preserves sent in, a small portion, representing about 3 per cent, of the whole, has been rejected as not in accordance with the requirements of the contract.