§ 41. Mr. HANNONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why His Majesty's Government is purchasing foreign addressing machines for the British Army while there are six firms making these machines in London, one of which is wholly British; whether a Government representative has inspected the British machine; and whether he will give instructions that the British firm should be given an opportunity to tender for future contracts?
Mr. SAMUELI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Carnarvonshire (Major Owen) on 15th March, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. HANNONDo the Treasury make inquiries of manufacturers of equipment of that kind in this country before giving their orders?
Mr. SAMUELMy hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. Very searching investigations were made, and the various patterns were exhaustively examined. The pattern which was selected was that which was best suited to the requirements of the service.