§ 29. Sir ROBERT GOWERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give particulars of any contracts entered into by him with non-British firms abroad for the supply of articles for His Majesty's Navy; whether, before placing such orders, he obtained tenders from British manufacturers; and, in the event of his having done so, what were his reasons for not accepting such British tenders?
§ Mr. AMMONIt is the invariable practice of the Admiralty to obtain tenders from British manufacturers and to give them a substantial measure of preference. I am afraid I cannot give the details asked for as to actual contracts, but I can assure the hon. Member that where adequate British competition exists contracts have not been given to foreign firms.