§ 49. Mr. COOPER RAWSONasked the Prime Minister whether it is the policy of any Department of His Majesty's Government to give a preference to goods manufactured in this country as against those manufactured abroad; and, if so, whether he will agree to the principle being generally adopted in all Government Departments in their purchases, with a view to relieving home trade and reducing unemployment?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Sir W. Joynson-Hicks)As stated in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for the Wells Division of Somerset on the 31st May last, it is already the policy of His Majesty's Government that Government Departments should, in making contracts, give a preference to home and Imperial products over foreign products, whenever this is practicable and would not involve inordinate additional expenditure.
§ Mr. H. H. SPENCERWill the right hon. Gentleman tell us what he means by the word "inordinate"?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSYes, it is beyond the "ordinate."
§ Captain W. BENNCan the right hon. Gentleman point to any decision of the House that permits Government Departments to spend public money except in the best market?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAll these things are subject to review by this House when the Estimates come up for discussion.
Mr. PR INGLEAre we to understand that in a Treasury sense expenditure is not wasteful only when it is inordinate?