§ MR. FIELDTo ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can explain the partial boycott of Irish materials by the Board of Works in Ireland with regard to the College of Science, the building in Tullamore, and other cases; and whether he can say why a copy of the specifications for buildings cannot be furnished to a Member of this House.
(Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I am not sure what buildings the hon. Member has in mind in his reference to Tullamore and other cases. If he refers, as I suppose, in the case of Tullamore to the contemplated new post office, I am informed that the specification for this building has not yet even been preparedf I can assure him, however, that no boycott of Irish materials by the Board o-Works has taken place in connection with the College of Science or any other building in their charge, as Irish materials are being employed wherever their use is compatible with efficiency, suitability, and economy. In the case of the College of Science about 86 per cent, of the building material to be used is Irish. Specifications for buildings are only prepared with the object of enabling firms to tender for the works, and for the use of the contractors by whom the works are carried out. The only copy of the specification issued is that given 1290 to the contractor for the building, and it would not be in the interests of the successful carrying out of contracts that any other copies should be distributed.