49. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Prime Minister whether any arrangements are in force in the various spending Departments whereby no goods of foreign manufacture are to be purchased by them in cases in which such goods are manufactured under conditions of labour less satisfactory as regards rates of pay and hours of labour than the conditions obtaining in the same trades in this country; and, if not, will he consider as to taking steps to ensure this policy being followed?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)The general contract policy of His Majesty's Government is to give a preference to the home over the foreign manufacturer. Departments are instructed to explore every possibility of obtaining home supplies before placing orders with foreign manufacturers and, generally speaking, such orders are only placed for special articles which cannot be obtained in this country.
§ Major CRAWFURDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, in that case, he will make inquiry of his colleague, the First Lord of the Admiralty, and ask him as to the use of foreign three-ply wood in his Department?