§ 15. Mr. TOUCHEasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will say where the contract for the equipment of the British Legation in Pekin with electric generating plant, ice-making plant, and other things was placed; and if he will state the amount of the contract and whether it has been given to a German firm?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury)The contract in question was placed, after limited competition amongst British firms, with Messrs. Siemens Bros. and Company, Limited, of Caxton House, Westminster. The amount of the contract was £11,572 10s. I should be happy to furnish the hon. Member with a list of the firms who were responsible for the manufacture of the various details of the plant if desired.
§ Mr. TOUCHEIs consideration given to the detriment of British firms arising through a German firm being able to say they got the contract for carrying out engineering works at the British Legation?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENNThe contract, as I have already stated, was given to a British firm.
§ Mr. TOUCHEIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that Messrs. Siemens is a purely German firm?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENNNo, quite the contrary. The firm to which this contract is given is a British firm.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDAre not their works in Stafford?