§ 12. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for War what steps were taken to ascertain whether the Gillette Safety Razor Company, to which a War Office contract has recently been granted, was a British company; when it became a British company; and whether they ascertained the, proportion of its capital which is held by British nationals?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)The company was registered at Somerset House in 1915, and half of its capital is held by British nationals.
§ 15. Mr. CECIL WILSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give the names of the 20 firms from whom tenders for safety razors were called, distinguishing between British and non-British firms?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIt is not the practice to disclose the names of firms invited to tender for Government contracts. In the case of the safety razor contract, tender forms were sent to 22 firms or limited liability companies, all carrying on business in Great Britain. Nine of these tendered, two offering razor and blades made in the United States, six razors and blades made in Great Britain and one (the accepted firm) razors made in Great Britain and blades made in Canada.
§ Mr. WILSONMay I ask how it is that in his letter upon this subject to a Member of the House, the right hon. Gentleman referred to two of these firms being American firms?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI cannot remember the terms of the letter. They were not American firms; they were firms in this country offering razors and blades to be made in America, and on that ground their tenders were refused.
§ Mr. WILSONMay I ask, further, how it, is that when we are so desirous of promoting British trade we should be asking American firms to tender at all; secondly, whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that only two firms who are members of the Sheffield Manufacturers' Association were asked to tender, and the largest and oldest safety razor manufacturers in the country were not asked to tender?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSNo tender forms were sent to any firms other than British firms. With regard to the last part of the question, whether they were members of the association or not, I do not know, but I have heard the last allegation that the largest firm was not asked to tender, and I have asked to be supplied with the name, because I am told it is unlikely to be so.
§ Mr. WILSONMay I ask, with reference to the letter to which I referred just now, whether the term "American firm" is incorrect?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI have told the hon. Member that I do not remember the exact expression in the letter. It was British firms offering American goods.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWhat is the reason for not mentioning the names of the firms? Is not the strict rule with regard to not mentioning the amounts of the tenders?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI believe the rule is that the Government Departments do not mention the names of the firms from whom tenders are not accepted.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that for a good number of years all the contractors' 858 names have appeared in the "Labour Gazette" every month, and is that practice to be discontinued?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI should have to inquire.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSIs it not a fact that the "Labour Gazette" contains only a list of the successful tenders?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI believe that is so—that the "Labour Gazette" contains only the names of the accepted contracts.
§ 16. Colonel ENGLANDasked the Secretary of State for War how the opinion of the rank and file of the Army was ascertained when it was decided to substitute safety razors for the old-fashioned stropping razor; how much the old razor used to cost the soldier; how long it was expected to last him; and how much it is estimated that the soldier will have to expend each year in the purchase of renewal blades?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSUnits of all Home Commands were consulted, and there was a general condemnation of the old type of long-handled razor. A free issue of that razor used to be made to each recruit. No definite life was assigned to it, replacement being made by the soldier, when necessary, out of his general kit allowance. The amount which the soldier will spend in the future on replacing the blades of his safety razor must necessarily vary with individual circumstances.
§ Colonel DAYWill the right hon. Gentleman say how many razor blades will be supplied to the soldier's kit?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe soldier can buy them where he pleases. They are stocked by the Navy, Army and Air Force Canteen, and that will he a very convenient place to make the purchase.
§ Sir W. DAVISONAre there any circumstances in the mind of the War Office other than the stiffness of a particular soldier's beard?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe hon. Member has put it more bluntly.
§ Mr. THURTLEIn the event of a patriotic soldier refusing to shave himself by means of an American blade, is any action to be taken against him?