HC Deb 06 May 1907 vol 173 cc1324-5
MR. HUNT (Shropshire, Ludlow)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that Sir John Jackson, the Government contractor for the works at Keyham Harbour, wrote on the 1st of January, 1906, to the effect that under present changed conditions Government contractors for the Admiralty would now be able to buy chains, anchors, fittings, screws, engines, machinery, furniture, ropes, and a hundred and one things for making warships from foreign countries made by foreign workmen, he will say whether any other articles, as well as stone for British dockyards, can be used by contractors to the Admiralty for anything connected with the British Navy which are not of British manufacture and material; and whether contractors are allowed to sub-let their contracts; and, if so, what conditions are made to prevent the sub-contractors from using anything except British material manufactured by British workmen.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

No such letter appears to have reached the Admiralty so far as I can ascertain. If the hon. Member will furnish me with a copy I will give it my attention.

MR. HUNT

Does the right hon. Gentleman dispute the fact of the letter having been written?

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

I have never seen the letter and cannot dispute it, but if the hon. Member will send mo a copy I will give it my best attention.