§ Mr. HUDSONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Prison Commissioners recently tendered for the supply of brushes and brooms to a London gas company; that this tender, being the lowest, was accepted, and thus cut out the 641 fair firm employing ordinary labour which previously held the contract; if he will state what steps, if any, the Commissioners took to find out, before tendering, what the ordinary market price for the district was so as not to tender below that price; and whether he will take steps to prevent the Prison Commissioners in future tendering for contracts, in view of the risk involved of undercutting the market prices?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEIt is the fact that the Prison Commissioners recently tendered for the supply of brushes and brooms to a London gas company. Out of the eight items included in the tender, the Commissioners received the contract for one only, representing in value less than £30, the contract for the other items being given to private firms. The Prison Commissioners, in tendering, are most careful to fix fair and reasonable prices, and, in this, they have experience to guide them, as well as special inquiries. In view of the great importance which is attached by all competent authorities to the finding of suitable occupations for prisoners, in order that their period of imprisonment may have the reformative effect which is desired, I cannot absolutely prohibit the Prison Commissioners from tendering; but the greatest care is taken, and will be taken, to tender only at fair prices, which will not have the effect of under-cutting market prices.