§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many British contractors, employing independent capitals, are prepared to supply each of the following items of Navy material: guns of 11 inches and over; guns of smaller calibre down to six inches; armour plates; gun mountings for heavy guns; and if he will state what precautions are taken to pro- 2574W tect the taxpayer from price agreements between the firms concerned?
§ Mr. McKENNAThere are four firms capable of supplying guns of 11-inch and above; four capable of supplying guns down to 6-inch; five firms capable of supplying armour plates; and three capable of supplying gun-mountings for heavy guns. The prices paid to these firms are checked where possible by the cost of manufacturing similar articles in Government establishments. As regards armour plates, every endeavour is made by negotiations to keep the price within fair limits. The number of firms capable of manufacturing gun-mountings for heavy guns has recently been increased, and there is good reason for supposing that there is no price agreements between the firms.