HC Deb 30 September 1909 vol 11 cc1413-5
Mr. STAVELEY-HILL

asked 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 PEASE

asked 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. MACNAMARA

In 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.

Mr. T. F. RICHARDS

Is this granite dressed abroad or in the United Kingdom?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I cannot tax my memory on that. The hon. Member might give me notice of it.

Mr. H. CARLILE

Will the hon. Gentleman abate the amount of the two tenders?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Foreign granite up to our requirements was offered at £104,000, and British granite at £134,000.

Mr. LEVERTON HARRIS

Were tests made of the samples of Norwegian granite submitted by the contractors, and were they found to be efficient in quality?

Dr. MACNAMARA

There 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 HARRIS

Was the granite ultimately agreed upon Norwegian granite?

Dr. MACNAMARA

It was foreign granite, certainly.

An HON. MEMBER

"'Morning Post' granite."

Mr. J. M. HENDERSON

Is 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. MACNAMARA

I 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 FELL

Has the Admiralty any evidence of the durability of Norwegian granite?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The granite we accepted was up to our requirements.

Mr. FELL

It has not been in use so long?

Dr. MACNAMARA

It certainly lasted since the days of the last Government.