HC Deb 06 March 1906 vol 153 cc278-9
MR. FIELD

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, owing to the recent action of the Local Government Board, about three-fourths of the tenders for drugs and medicines to Irish unions are necessarily supplied by English firms of wholesale druggists; will he say whether Irish firms are allowed to tender for similar contracts in England; and whether he will take the necessary steps to enable Irish firms to tender for supplies on equal terms in both countries.

(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed that boards of guardians have not yet undertaken the consideration of contracts for drugs for the next financial year. The proportion of the contracts secured by English firms last year was about one-third. So far as the Local Government Board for Ireland are aware, there is nothing to prevent Irish firms from tendering for similar contracts in England upon equal terms with English firms.

MR. FIELD

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that about three-fourths of the medicines required for the Irish Poor Law service are now supplied by English firms who do not contribute to Irish rates, although these medicines were formerly supplied exclusively by Irish manufacturing wholesale druggists; will he say whether Irish firms are prevented from tendering for similar contracts in England; and whether, as President of the Local Government Board for Ireland, he will see that Irish boards of guardians are allowed full discretion as regards these contracts in future without the risk of losing recoupment, as provided under the Medical Charities Act.

(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) As stated in reply to the preceding Question, one-third of the drug contracts, and not three-fourths, was obtained by an English firm last year. The firm in question has only recently competed for Irish medicine contracts. As regards the latter part of the Question, it must be remembered that one-half of the cost of these medicines is defrayed from public funds. It is the duty of the guardians to obtain the best return for the money of the ratepayers, whose trustees they are; and similarly it is incumbent on the Local Government Board to see that no unnecessary charge is placed on public funds. Moreover, any attempt to confine tenders to Irish firms might have the effect of prejudicing Irish tenders for various articles from being accepted in England.