§ MR. WHITE RIDLEY (Stalybridge)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that forged steel, supplied to the Admiralty for ships purposes under contracts with British firms, is stipulated to be of British-made billets, the Admiralty will take into consideration the desirability of similar practice in respect of brass castings for the same purposes, and stipulate that they be made from copper and tin of British manufacture.
(Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) This matter has been considered by the Admiral00ty; but, in view of the large demands which would be made upon the inspecting officers in securing the actual carrying out of such a stipulation, the ease with which it could be evaded by contractors, the impossibility of verifying the origin of all materials used by them for such work, and the enhanced cost involved, the Admiralty are not prepared to adopt the course suggested.