§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that an Irish firm on 6th October last estimated for the
†Return showing (1) number of prisoners transferred from Barlinnie Prison to Perth Prison during the past three years; (2) length of original sentence on each of the above prisoners; (3) length of sentence still to run at the date of transfer.1028 printing of 500,000 pamphlets in connection with His Majesty's Stationery Department; that owing to their having to add £50 for carriage over and above the cost of executing the work they were unable to compete successfully with firms having no carriage to pay; and whether, in view of this fact, he-will consider the advisability of removing this block.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe disadvantages, of which the hon. Member complains, operate in the case of all contractors whose establishments are situated at a distance from the locality wherein the contract must be carried out, and they are not confined to the supply of stationery. I do not think that the Government could undertake to compensate a. particular firm for any disadvantage arising from increased cost of carriage of goods owing to the place at which the firm carries on its business.
§ MR. MCKENNABut they do compete successfully.