§ 34. Captain Cunningham-Reidasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that, in connection with the erection of Government offices at Harrogate, his Department has arranged for the necessary bricks to be supplied from Peterborough, some 150 miles away, although a company with works in Harrogate which tendered for the contract were told their tender was the lowest and that their bricks were approved by the contractors and the architect; and whether, in view of transport difficulties at present he will give the reason for this decision?
§ The First Commissioner of Works (Mr. Ramsbotham)The selection of bricks, subject to approval of their quality by the architect, is the responsibility of the contractors, who are, in this case, a Yorkshire firm. Harrogate bricks are being used for all work below ground level, and Selby bricks for internal partitions. I am advised that the type of bricks used for the external walls has been chosen because, in the finished work, these prove the cheapest.
§ Captain Cunningham-ReidMay I ask why all these bricks should not come from Yorkshire, thereby relieving congestion on the railways?
§ Mr. RamsbothamBecause, as I have said, we have to give consideration to cheapness.