§ 12. Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELasked the Secretary of State for India if he can state the price quoted in the lowest British tender and the approximate price at which the Pheinmetall Syndicate of Germany obtained in August last the order for 14,600 locomotive boiler tubes placed by the Indian Stores Department?
§ Mr. BENNThe contract price of the accepted tender was approximately 5,070. The lowest British tender received was higher. The hon. Member will I feel sure appreciate my reluctance to quote the figures of unsuccessful tenders.
§ Mr. SAMUELIf I put down a question in a fortnight's time, will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to ascertain what was the price of the lowest tender, so that we may know how much our prices are too high to get this contract?
§ Mr. SAMUELMay I put it this way? Will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain 440 the price that was quoted by the British firm, and why it was too dear for us to lose this order?