§ MR. HUGH LAW (Donegal, W.)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that some local authorities are accustomed to specify for the use of Norwegian granite in public works under their control; and whether, in view of the existence of undeveloped quarries of suitable granite in Great Britain and in Ireland, he will circularise local authorities, and will point out the undesirability of giving this undue preference to foreign quarry owners.
(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I understand that in some localities Norwegian granite is cheaper than other similar stone, and I presume that it is on this ground that some local authorities 1154 prefer to use it. I could not undertake to interfere with the exercise of their discretion in the matter.