§ Mr. GOLDMANasked whether one of the conditions of the Rosyth granite contract was the submission to the Admiralty experts of specimens of the stone to be used; at what stage in the fulfilment of the contract must such specimens be submitted; and when do the Admiralty expect the work will have reached this stage?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Specimens have already been submitted and accepted.
§ Mr. GOLDMANMay I ask whether the Board of Admiralty have any practical experience of the wearing qualities of the stone they have approved of?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, Sir, the Admiralty have had very great experience of the qualities of granite of all sorts.
§ Mr. GOLDMANHave they subjected this particular stone to analysis?
§ Mr. McKENNAIf the hon. Gentleman will put another question on the subject on the Paper I will be glad to furnish him with a reply.
§ Mr. GOLDMANasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he could now state definitely whether the contract for the granite at Rosyth was being carried out from British or Norwegian quarries?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe supply of granite is a matter for the contractor, but it is understood that a Scandinavian firm is being employed.
§ Mr. GOLDMANWill the right hon. Gentleman state the name of the Scandinavian firm he has employed?
§ Mr. McKENNANo; it is a matter for the contractor, and I do not think it is desirable to name the firm.
§ Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDMay I ask whether, before the tender was asked from the contractor, it was intimated to him that British or Irish granite should be used?
§ Mr. McKENNAIn the reply to the subsequent question on the Paper the hon. Gentleman will find an answer to the question he has asked.
§ Mr. GOLDMANasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the tenders for granite to be used at Rosyth called for alternative tenders on the basis of British and foreign granite respectively, and whether he can state in respect of which of these alternative prices the contract was awarded?
§ Mr. McKENNAIn inviting tenders for the execution of the works at Rosyth alternative prices were asked for for the granite portion of the work being executed with British and foreign granite respectively. The contract was awarded on the basis of the contractor being allowed to use granite drawn from any source.