§ 78. Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a large consignment of gun-mountings has recently been delivered from Barrow at Clydebank, on account of an Admiralty contract; whether this consignment has been carried by a French vessel to the exclusion of British tonnage; whether the contract was made direct by the Admiralty; and, if so, for what reason preference was given to a French vessel; and whether in future such contracts, either direct by the Admiralty or on their account as sub-contracts, will be given to vessels under the British flag?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Churchill)I am in communication with the contractors with regard to these questions, and will furnish further information when details have been received.