§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that in January, 1902, the Admiralty issued a circular C.P. 57/575 to contractors for tinned goods, pointing out the advantages of the patent in the hands of the Maconochie's Solderless Tinning Syndicate, Limited, and the gain, in spite of the syndicate's royalty, resulting from the adoption of this new process, and that, in a circular in July, 1902, the Admiralty drew the attention of contractors to the fact that this syndicate were prepared to supply any Admiralty contractors with the requisite plant for making these tins at once and at cost price, he will give the names of those who form this syndicate.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. PRETYMAN, Suffolk, Woodbridge)The Admiralty is not aware of the names of the persons forming the Maconochie Solderless Tinning Syndicate, Limited. The first circular, referred to in the hon. Member's Question, asked the opinion of leading provision preservers as to the advantages claimed by the syndicate for this tin. The second circular asked for alternative tenders for jam supplied in these tins and in ordinary tins.