§ Mr. NORTON-GRIFFITHSasked what was the difference between the lowest British tender and that of the Phœnix Bridge Company, of Phœnixville, United States of America, who were awarded the contract for the bridge over the River Jumna, at Hamilpur station, on the Indian State Railways; and whether the British tenderers had an opportunity of carrying out the work for the price at which the American firm tendered before the order was finally placed with such firm?
§ Mr. MONTAGUAs I stated on the 26th March the difference was 26½ per cent. The 203 lowest British tenderer was approached in the sense suggested by the hon. Member, and made a considerable reduction. The figure I have quoted was the difference between the American tender and the lowest British tender as reduced.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSWhat wages would have been earned and what revenue would the State have obtained out of those wages if this tender had been given to an English firm?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Fair-Wages Clause applies to all contracts which are allotted.
§ Mr. HUNTCan the hon. Gentleman give any reason why an American firm paying double our wages can beat us in cheapness in our own Empire?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI do not think I could give reasons which would satisfy the hon. Gentleman in answer to a question.
§ Mr. MONTAGUI cannot enter into an economic disputation at question time.