Mr. W. M. WATSONasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that, in issuing schedules for tenders for various linen goods required by the War Office, no patterns for table cloths or table napkins were sent to the chamber of commerce at Dunfermline; whether he is aware that patterns have previously been sent; and will he see that the manufacturers in Dunfermline get a fair chance of tendering for all classes of linen goods required by the War Office?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIt is the normal practice of the Department to send to the chamber of commerce, Dunfermline, samples of the articles in which manufacturers of that town are interested. In the present instance I regret that owing to a misunderstanding some delay occurred in the despatch of samples, but these have now been sent and the date for the return of tenders has been extended to the 6th August.