§ Mr. STAVELEY-HILLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the contracts for the supply of granite at Rosyth are under reconsideration; and whether Any decision has been arrived at as to whom the work is to be given to?
Mr. PIKE PEASEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether new tenders have been issued in connection with the granite required for the Rosyth naval base; whether, and in what respects, the terms of the new tender differ from those originally issued; and if he can state under what circumstances it has been found necessary to withdraw the contract from Norwegian quarry owners in order, if possible, that British firms may secure the contract?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIn inviting tenders for the execution of the work at Rosyth, alternative tenders were asked for in connection with that part of the work for which granite would be required. The granite must come up to the standard of our requirements, and at the price offered foreign granite was selected. Subject to this, the Admiralty have nothing to do with the arrangements for procuring the granite, which are entirely in the hands of the main contractor.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot tax my memory on that. The hon. Member might give me notice of it.
§ Mr. H. CARLILEWill the hon. Gentleman abate the amount of the two tenders?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAForeign granite up to our requirements was offered at £104,000, and British granite at £134,000.
§ Mr. LEVERTON HARRISWere tests made of the samples of Norwegian granite submitted by the contractors, and were they found to be efficient in quality?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThere was an official report on the matter, I think, to the First Lord, and certainly the granite that we ultimately agreed upon was up to our requirements.
§ Mr. LEVERTON HARRISWas the granite ultimately agreed upon Norwegian granite?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt was foreign granite, certainly.
§ Mr. J. M. HENDERSONIs my hon. Friend aware that the contract is about to be issued, if not already issued, and will he give British contractors an opportunity of revising their tenders?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am aware of that, but subject to the granite being up to the Admiralty requirements and to the price already determined upon, I suppose the contractor will have to communicate with us in the matter, and it is scarcely likely that we should put any difficulty in their way.
§ Mr. ARTHUR FELLHas the Admiralty any evidence of the durability of Norwegian granite?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe granite we accepted was up to our requirements.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt certainly lasted since the days of the last Government.