§ Mr. PATRICK O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary has advertised in certain English newspapers for tenders for the supply of cloth, tartan, and tweed for clothing the Irish police, naming a number of English chambers of commerce at which tender forms can be obtained by intending contractors, and omitting to include the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, which has a larger interest in this business than any others named could have; and whether, in view of the convenience to Irish manufacturers of being able to obtain tender forms for this Irish contract, he can explain this omission and have it corrected?
§ Mr. BIRRELLForms of tender for the cloth, tweed, and tartan required for the Royal Irish Constabulary uniforms in 1910 were sent direct by the Inspector-General to every manufacturer in Great Britain and Ireland likely to be in a position to quote for the supply of the material. Advertisements were also inserted in Irish, English, and Scotch newspapers, stating that forms of tender might be obtained, and patterns and specifications of the cloth inspected at the principal Chambers of Commerce of Great Britain, or at the office of the Inspector-General, Royal Irish Constabulary, Dublin Castle. No increase of convenience to intending contractors would be attained by having forms of tender and patterns left at the Chamber of Commerce, Dublin, as it is quite close to the Inspector-General's Office.