HC Deb 20 May 1908 vol 189 cc273-4
MR. COURTHOPE (Sussex, Rye)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the minimum quantity of cement required in the invitations issued to cement manufacturers to tender for the Admiralty cement contracts.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MCKENNA,) Monmouthshire, N.

The quantity of cement indicated in the invitations to tender was approximately 10,400 tons, this being the anticipated requirements for one year for all naval establishments at home and abroad in the Director of Works Department; but the actual amount ordered will depend on the actual needs during the course of the year, and will not necessarily amount to 10,400 tons.

MR. COURTHOPE

Was the amount required so large that it was necessary to leave out some of the firms usually invited to tender?

MR. MCKENNA

Yes, Sir; certain of the firms were left out for that reason.

MR. COURTHOPE

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty which firms of cement manufacturers were invited to tender for the Admiralty contracts; and what is the estimated annual output (in tons) of each.

MR. MCKENNA

It is undesirable to disclose the names of competing firms, and I must beg the hon. Member not to press for them.

MR. COURTHOPE

I will not press for the names.

MR. COURTHOPE

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what firms of cement manufacturers who have usually been invited to tender for Admiralty contracts were this year omitted; and what is the estimated annual output (in tons) of each.

I beg also to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any firm or firms of cement manufacturers who have usually supplied cement to the Admiralty, but have this year not been invited to tender, have complained of the omission and requested that they may be allowed to tender; whether such requests have been granted or refused; if the latter, upon what grounds; and what is the estimated annual output (in tons) of each of such firms.

MR. MCKENNA

There was only one firm of cement manufacturers which we considered capable of meeting our requirements and which we have invited on previous occasions, but have omitted this year. If the hon. Member has the authority of the firm in question for asking for a disclosure of its name, I am prepared to give it as well as the grounds upon which it has been excluded on the present occasion.

MR. COURTHOPE

I have not the authority of any firm to ask the information, but I should like to have it.

MR. MCKENNA

Without their authority I do not think it advisable to name the firm or to give the reasons why they were not invited to tender on the present occasion.