EARL Of RONALDSHAYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if a German firm has secured a sub-contract with the Government contractors to supply 700 tons of steel piles for the naval base at Rosyth; if any English firms tendered for the contract; and, if so, for what reason it was given to a German firm?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI ought to preface this reply with the statement that the main contractor is not restricted to securing steel piles under sub-contract from British sources. The question apparently refers to the supply of steel piles to the value of about £700. The suggestion that this sub-contract was secured by a German firm is not correct. In this case two English firms tendered and the contract was secured by one of them. The steel, I understand, was rolled in Belgium.