§ 1. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can state how many contracts in connection with the new Palace of Nations at Geneva have been allocated to British firms; and what proportion of the total cost the value of these contracts will be?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe total estimated cost of the Palace of Nations at Geneva is 30 million gold francs, of which 4½ million francs have been generously given by Mr. Rockefeller to cover the cost of the new library. Up to date contracts amounting in all to approximately 151 million francs have been allocated, and of these, two, amounting together to about 870,000 francs have been awarded to British firms. The proportion which the value of these two contracts bears to the total value of the contracts so far awarded is 5.6 per cent.
§ Mr. HALL-CAINEHaving regard to the large contribution made by this country towards the building of this house, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that Great Britain ought to have a greater share of the contract?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe matter, of course, is not one which can be decided by any one country. There is an international committee which considers tenders.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether the tenders are competitive?
§ Sir J. SIMONI cannot give a general answer to that question, but in the cases I have inquired into undoubtedly tenders were called for and examined one against another.
Captain CROOKSHANKDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think this would be a very funny building if it were built in proportion to the contributions paid by all the nations of the world?