§ Sir J. LEIGHasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether British firms tendering for orders for India have to give an assurance that their names are on the King's Roll; and, if not, whether, seeing that the acceptance of a tender 1635W from a German firm not only increases unemployment in this country, but is also against the policy of the Government to assist ex-service men, he proposes to make compulsory such a condition of tendering?
§ Mr. RICHARDSThe answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. As regards the practice of the High Commissioner in preferring, other things being equal, a firm which is on the King's Roll to one which is not, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bilston (Lieut.-Colonel Howard-Bury) on 25th February, and, as regards the Government of India's general policy of buying in the best market, to the reply to the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon) on 18th February.