§ 41. Mr. DENMANasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in any Admiralty contracts involving the use of rubber, there is a stipulation that the rubber should come from foreign as opposed to Imperial sources; and, if so, whether he will see that in future no geographical discrimination is made, but that contractors are allowed to obtain rubber from wherever they choose, provided only that it he of the necessary quality?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe stipulation that rubber from a particular source only should be used was removed generally from Admiralty specifications in 1897. The stipulation as to supply of Para rubber has been retained only for one or two items of Which the requirements are trivial compared with the large bulk of our supplies. Our general stipulation is for pure caoutchouc irrespective of country of origin. I will consider whether there are still adequate reasons for the retention of Para in the few cases referred to.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLWill the right hon. Gentleman take care that no rubber comes from the slave dealers of Putumayo?