§ Mr. MORTONasked the Under-Secretary for India whether a contract for the construction of twelve bridges for the Indian State Railways has been given to a foreign firm; and, if so, will he say why this has been done?
§ Mr. MONTAGUA contract for one bridge for the Oudh and Rohilkund Railway, consisting of twelve spans, has been placed with an American firm. This course was adopted, after full consideration, in view of the discrepancy, 26½ per cent., between the foreign and the lowest British tender. Tenders were invited by advertisement.
§ Sir WILLIAM BYLESDoes it make a penny difference to English labour whether the contract is American or English?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI do not think I can accept the hon. Gentleman's invitation to an economic discussion on this point!
§ Mr. ROWLAND HUNTDoes the hon. Gentleman know whether the foreign firm which obtained the contract was subsidised by its Government or by one of the American trusts?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI do not know. As I have said the tender was invited by advertisement and the lowest tender which our expert advisers thought fufilled the conditions of the contract, was accepted.
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have nothing to say except that the Government do not intend to practice the doctrine of Protection at the expense of the Indian Government?
§ Mr. HUNTDo not the Government take any notice at all of the point whether foreign firms are subsidised by a Government or trust?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe policy of the Indian Government with regard to Indian contracts is to get for India the cheapest goods suitable for their purpose in the cheapest market.
§ Mr. REMNANTWill the wages paid by the successful firm be at the same rate as those paid by the lowest tenderer in this country?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI cannot answer that off-hand.