§ 14. Mr. LOLMS SMITHasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the placing abroad of the greater part of the order for the crushing machinery for the Singapore base, he will request the Government contractors to agree in future to meet the Admiralty officials in conference, together with representatives of the tendering firm quoting the most favourable terms, before an order exceeding £ 1,000 in value is placed, with the object of making every endeavour to retain the work involved for British workmen?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI regret that it is not practicable to request the contractors to agree to the proposal made in the question. An agreement was, however, made in December last that the contractors would consult the Admiralty before placing any orders abroad for plant exceeding £ 20,000 in value.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHow does that answer square with the answer just given in regard to shale oil?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMIt seems to square perfectly.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhy in this case have the Admiralty purchased these goods from America while refusing to purchase goods from Scotland because they cost a little more?