HC Deb 27 July 1908 vol 193 cc886-7
MR. REES

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his Department has made separate contracts with Irish firms for tailoring, boots, and waterproofs for postmen employed in Ireland; and, if so, why similar arrangements cannot be made in respect of postmen employed in Wales.

THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, Poplar

As regards contracts with Irish firms I may refer my hon. friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for South Down on the 7th instant, of which I am sending him a copy. There is no separate branch of the postal stores department in Wales, and it would not be practicable to earmark for the Welsh service the work of a particular contractor. But I should be glad to receive tenders from Wales for the general supplies.

*MR. REES

What is the exact difficulty in treating Wales in this respect in the same way as Ireland?

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

It is not a separate branch of the postal department.

MR. REES

Cannot it be made separate?

[No Answer was returned.]