§ 3. Colonel GOODMANasked the Secretary of State for India whether he will cause representations to be made by the Government of India to the High Commissioner for India as to the policy of the Indian Stores Department in relation to inquiries for supplies, with a view to influencing that department to specify British products where they can be supplied rather than those of the United States of America or other foreign manufacture?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe constitutional position of the Secretary of State in relation to the purchase of stores is stated on pages 244 and 245 of Volume I of the Report of the Simon Commission. The matter is not one on which I can issue instructions to the Government of India. I may add that more than 93 per cent. of all the orders placed by the High Commissioner during the first nine months of this year were in fact placed in this country.
§ Colonel GOODMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that an inquiry has recently been made by the Indian Stores Department for a supply of 10 grinders for the Indian Army, the specifications of which are wholly a Van Dorn-American concern, and the reference thereto is to a Van Dorn catalogue?
§ Sir S. HOAREI am not aware of those facts. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will send them to me.