HC Deb 05 April 1911 vol 23 cc2207-8
Mr. CROFT

asked whether the contract for home safes was granted to the C. O. Burns Company; whether an inquiry was made either in the United States or in this country as to whether they were in a position to carry out their undertaking; whether any firms were given to understand that the initial order would not exceed 10,000; and whether a second opportunity of tendering was given to the C. O. Burns Company?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)

As I informed the hon. Member on the 23rd ultimo the tender of the C. O. Burns Company for the manufacture of Home Safes was accepted on 15th October last. The Company were known to have supplied suitable safes of this kind to a number of Savings Banks in this country, and it was not, therefore, considered necessary to make the inquiries indicated by the hon. Member, particularly as it was arranged that the contract should be executed in the United Kingdom by a British company to be formed by Mr. Burns. The contract is now being executed. It is not the case that any firms were given to understand that the initial order would not exceed 10,000. There is nothing in the form of tender to indicate what the initial order would be, alternative prices being invited for supplies in excess of 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000. As I explained in my reply to the hon. Member on the 23rd ultimo, no preferential opportunity was given to the C. O. Burns Company.

Mr. CROFT

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will ascertain particulars regarding the bankruptcy of this firm, and whether it is not a fact that the contract was violated in that way?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I did not undertake to make inquiry. It is evident that the contract was not broken.

Mr. NEWMAN

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the name of the English firm that has the contract for these safes for the Post Office, and state whether they are making them?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

The firm is registered in the name of Fiscus, and I believe they are not making the safes, but they are arranging for their manufacture.