§ 36. Mr. YEOasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether an order for 150,000 tents has been placed with a 722 firm who are not tent makers; and, if so, were the tent manufacturers given the usual opportunity to tender for the contract, and were the prices of some of the contractors below those of the successful firm of non-tent makers; was a maximum price paid to this firm; and, if so, will he explain why this was done; and is he aware that, against the general recommendation of the Home Office, the firm in question being so favoured with contracts is employing workwomen on night work and advertising for further women to work at night, whilst the workers in the same trades in the east and south-east districts of London are out of employment?
§ Mr. FORSTERAn order for 150,000 tents was placed in June, 1915, with a certain firm after they had satisfactorily executed orders for smaller quantities. The contract has now been completed. Two hundred and nineteen other firms were invited to tender at the same time, and every suitable offer lower in price and some higher in price were accepted to meet the Army requirements. The point regarding the employment of women at night should apparently be addressed to the Home Office.
§ Mr. ASHLEYDo I understand that all the tenders that were sent in were accepted irrespective of price?
§ Mr. FORSTERI do not say all were accepted, but I say 219 other firms were invited to tender, and, speaking from memory, I do not think it is going too far to say that everybody who could make satisfactory tents at a satisfactory price was given an opportunity of doing it.
§ Mr. ASHLEYIrrespective of price?