74. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for War whether contracts for the supply of jam to the Army are open to tender, or whether they are now being confined to a small number of firms without competition; and, if they are being so confined, by what means prices are fixed?
§ Mr. FORSTERContracts for the supply of jam of the present season's make are confined to a selected number of manufacturers. The War Department pays the actual cost of the fruit and sugar, and the quantities apportioned to each of the selected firms have been determined by the competitive prices submitted by those firms for making the jam.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWill the hon. Gentleman give the names of these selected firms?
§ Mr. FORSTERIf the hon. Member will give notice I will consider it.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTAm I to understand that anything in the nature of competition in these contracts has been absolutely done away with?
§ Mr. FORSTERIf the hon. Member reads my answer he will see that the allocation of the contract depends upon the competitive price.
§ Mr. FORSTERBy the people who are invited.
Mr. SCOTTHas the hon. Gentleman not told me that the only people who are invited to tender are a small selected ring, and that therefore there is no open competition in the tendering for these contracts?
§ Mr. FORSTERWhat the hon. Member calls a small and select ring comprises the firms which have made the great bulk of the jam for years past.
Mr. SCOTTCan the hon. Gentleman give any indication of the number of the firms? Is it not a very small, limited, select number of firms against whom there 1415 is no opportunity for a competitive tender by other well-established and recognised firms who have done the work in the past?
§ Mr. FORSTERI do not think I can give the number without notice.
§ Colonel YATEIs there any clause in the contract by which any portion of the plum jam served out, for instance, is to be made from plums?