§ MR. J. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether, having regard to the unequal treatment inflicted upon Ireland in her financial relations with England, he will appoint a small departmental committee to inquire, during the recess, whether the Post Office stores imported from England to Ireland could, without detriment to the public service, be obtained in Ireland, and to ascertain what steps can be taken to give Irish contractors better opportunities of ascertaining what contracts are open from time to time.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton. It is open to any Irish manufacturers who are not at present invited to tender to apply to the Controller of Stores to have their names put on his list of firms to whom tender forms should be sent, and their tenders will always be carefully considered. For many of the stores, however, which are used in the telegraph and telephone services there are no manufacturers in Ireland.