48. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Prime Minister if he will arrange for the appointment of a Committee to inquire and report as to the extent to which foreign manufactures are used in the various Government Departments, and as to the measures which might be adopted, with due regard to the needs of the public service, with the object of minimising these foreign purchases in the interests of home manufactures?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Arthur Michael Samuel)I have been asked to reply. Arrangements are already in force, under standing instructions, to secure that effective preference is given to British manufactures in contracts by Government Departments. I do not consider that there is any necessity for the appointment of a Committee on the subject.