HC Deb 27 October 1920 vol 133 cc1740-1
68. Earl WINTERTON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies for what reason the specification for the construction of the Uashin Gishu Railway in Kenya Colony was not put out to open tender, and to whom the contract has been entrusted?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Colonel L. Wilson, for Lieut.-Colonel Amery)

I would refer the Noble Lord to the reply given to the question of the hon. Member for East Nottingham on the 14th of Juno. The construction contract has not yet been completed.

Earl WINTERTON

Will the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that this contract will be put out to open tender in the ordinary way?

Colonel WILSON

If the Noble Lord will refer to the answer to the previous question on the subject, and also the question and answer of June, to which I have referred him, he will see a very full answer is given.

Earl WINTERTON

Will my hon. Friend give an undertaking that no arrangement will be entered into with any firm until this House has had the opportunity of considering why this large contract has not been put out to public tender?

Colonel WILSON

I will convey the suggestion to my Noble Friend.