§ Mr. NEWMANasked the Postmaster-General whether a Post Office contract has been, or is about to be, given to a firm trading as Fiscus, Limited, for the supply of a number of home safes not exceeding 100,000; whether tenders were originally invited for a number not exceeding 10,000, the condition being made that the safes should be entirely manufactured in this country; whether a concern known as the C. O. Burns Company, United States of America, was awarded the contract; whether he is aware that the C. O. Burns Company has since gone into liquidation, and that the Fiscus Company, United States of America, is the C. O. Burns Company trading under an assumed name; and whether he will undertake, under these circumstances, to call for fresh tenders?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe facts as stated in the first part of the question are correct, except that the number of home 2239 safes supplied is to be not less than 100,000; no maximum number was specified in the tender form, nor was it stated as a condition that the safes should be entirely manufactured in this country, although the usual question as to the place of manufacture was asked; the tender was accepted of the Burns Company of the United States, who offered that the manufacture should be wholly carried out in the United Kingdom; the Post Office agreed that the contract should be executed by an English company to be formed by Mr. Burns, and the Fiscus Company has been promoted, I understand, mainly for that purpose. As at present advised, I see no reason to call for fresh tenders.
§ Mr. NEWMANIs the C. O. Burns Company dead?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI believe Mr. Burns withdrew from it. It has no connection with the Fiscus Company.