§ MR. HAROLD COX (Preston)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is the practice of the Government of India, in ordering horseshoes from this country for the Indian Army, to require that such shoes shall be supplied exclusively by British firms and manufactured in this country; whether he is aware that the War Office has discovered that this practice leads to the formation of a ring against the purchasing department; and whether, in the interest of the taxpayers of India, he will provide that for the future tenders shall be thrown open to all responsible firms.
§ MR. BUCHANANTenders for horseshoes for Indian service have hitherto been invited only from English makers. There is no reason to believe that any ring exists among the manufacturers of horse-shoes in this country. The Secretary of State for India will be happy to, consider tenders from any competent makers.
§ MR. HAROLD COXBut the Secretary for War stated that there was such a ring.
§ MR. BUCHANANI am only responsible for the India Office.