§ 65. Mr. MITCHESONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the fact that the cost of construction of the palace of the League of Nations at Geneva is estimated to be £1,200,000, of which sum the proportion to be borne by the British Empire and the Dominions is 26 per cent., he will take further steps to obtain contracts for its equipment, etc., for British firms other than the contract for £28,800, which is the only contract at present granted to a British firm?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Eden)In so far as His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are concerned, I would refer to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) on 15th February last. As was then explained, every possible opportunity has been created for United Kingdom firms to tender in what have been and are, in almost every case, open competitions. The decisions rest with the League of Nations; and there has been no question of awarding contracts to particular countries.