Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDasked the Under-Secretary for War why the tenders of the Irish Tobacco Company for the supply of tobacco for the troops have been refused; and whether Irish tobacco and 744W Irish firms will receive a share of Government contracts?
Mr. BAKERThree tenders for tobacco have been received from the Irish Tobacco Company; on two occasions they received a portion of the order; on the third the sample submitted was not considered suitable. Two tenders have been received from this company for cigarettes, one of which was declined on account of price and the other because the delivery offered was not sufficiently prompt. Nine Irish firms are noted on the War Office list for tobacco and cigarettes, and their tenders are duly considered. Applications to tender from any suitable firms not already on the list would be favourably considered.