§ 53. Sir W. SUGDENasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in accepting the estimates of various steel using Departments, such as the Admiralty, War Office, and others, he will assure himself that only British manufactured steel is supplied in these several Departments?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt is the general contract policy of His Majesty's Government to give substantial preference to the home over the foreign manufacturer. In the case of steel orders, the practice of the Departments is such as to secure that, except in rare and minor cases of a special character, only steel of home manufacture is supplied.
§ Sir W. SUGDENIf I give my right hon. Friend details of where many major sections of German steel are being used by the Government, will he see that such examples are dealt with, and dealt with in a proper fashion as well.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI shall be very glad to receive any information from the hon. Member.
§ Mr. CONNOLLYMay I ask if it is a fact that the stern castings of one of His Majesty's battleships now under construction on the Mersey have been manufactured in Germany?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am afraid I could not answer that without notice.
§ Sir W. SUGDENYes, that is so.
§ Mr. CONNOLLYHaving in mind the large amount of unemployment in this country, will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the matter?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, I will; but I should think a question regarding the stern castings of one of His Majesty's battleships would more naturally be directed, in the first case, to the First Lord of the Admiralty.