§ Mr. TOUCHEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the practice of the former contractors for the supply of postage stamps of manufacturing the necessary machinery largely in their own factories has been followed by Messrs. Harrison; whether any provision was made in the contract with Messrs. Harrison as to the employment of British-made machinery, or does part of the machinery now in use come from Germany?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSENo provision was made in the contract with Messrs. Harrison as to the employment of British-made machinery. I am informed that some part of the machinery in use was obtained abroad.
§ Mr. TOUCHEasked whether the saving of £40,000 on the contract for postage stamps represents the difference between 1272 the prices previously paid and the new prices to be paid, and not the difference between the latest tenders of the former and the new contractors; and will the saving of £40,000 relate to any work other than stamp production and executed by other firms than the former stamp contractors?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe figure referred to (which should, however, be £45,000) represents the difference between the prices previously paid and the new prices to be paid for postage stamps. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative.