GOVERNMENT AND COLONIAL CONTRACTS.

HC Deb 11 April 1933 vol 276 cc2365-6

37. Mr. MITCHESON

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what preference, if any, is given by the Crown Agents for the Colonies in the placing of their contracts to goods manufactured by purely British firms over those goods manufactured in the United Kingdom by firms whose capital is owned entirely or substantially by foreign persons or organisations outside the United Kingdom?

Mr. M. MacDONALD

It is impracticable to make any distinction between goods manufactured by purely British firms and those manufactured in the United Kingdom by firms whose capital is owned entirely or substantially by foreign persons or organisations outside the United Kingdom.

Mr. MITCHESON

Will the hon. Member take steps to see if it is possible to give this preference?

Mr. MacDONALD

I am advised that the hon. Member's suggestion is impracticable. In any case employment is given in this country, which is the chief point in the question.

55. Mr. MITCHESON

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what preference, if any, is given by the Stationery Office in the placing of their contracts to goods manufactured by purely British firms over those goods manufactured in the United Kingdom by firms whose capital is owned entirely or substantially by foreign persons or organisations outside the United Kingdom?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

A substantial measure of preference is given in favour of British goods. It would not, however, be practicable to discriminate between those United Kingdom manufacturers whose capital is British owned and those whose capital is entirely or substantially owned by foreign persons or organisations.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Have not the present Government been encouraging foreigners to establish businesses here, and is it fair now to attack them?

43. Mr. MITCHESON

asked the First Commissioner of Works what preference, if any, is given by the Office of Works in the placing of their contracts to goods manufactured by purely British firms over those goods manufactured in the United Kingdom by firms whose capital is owned entirely or substantially by foreign persons or organisations outside the United Kingdom?

The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)

For the reasons given to my hon. Friend in reply to his similar questions on the 6th April, it is not considered either practicable or desirable to give such a preference.