HC Deb 29 July 1910 vol 19 cc2672-3W
Mr. KILBRIDE

asked the Home Secretary whether before deciding the contracts for mail-bag canvas the Postmaster-General is consulted, with a view of expressing an opinion as to suitability, price, etc., and whether he has a voice in deciding who shall be awarded the principal or more important item in these contracts?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The answer to both questions is in the affirmative.

Mr. KILBRIDE

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the price paid for 704,500 yards of British-woven canvas for mail bags; by how much did the amount exceed the price quoted for foreign-woven canvas; is he aware that British canvases are largely woven from foreign-spun yarns, and that the cost of producing the yarns represents 90 per cent. of the value of woven cloth; and whether, before accepting tenders for British-woven canvases at higher prices than foreign, he will take steps to satisfy himself, before awarding the contracts, that British-woven canvases are produced from British-spun yarns?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The cost of the 704,500 yards of British-woven canvas at the accepted contract rates will be £31,042 2s. 11d. This amount will exceed the price quoted for foreign-woven canvas by £985 7s. 6d. It is understood that British canvases are sometimes woven from foreign-spun yarn, but to what extent this is the case I am unable to say. The cost of the yarn would naturally represent a large proportion of the value of the canvas, but I have no data on which to form an estimate of what that proportion is. To insist on mail-bag canvas being manufactured from British-spun yarn would considerably enhance the cost.