§ Mr. FIELDasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether military shelters, in sections, required for troops in Ireland were imported there from England; whether it was possible to have had them made in Ireland by Irish firms on the War Office list of contractors; if all the Irish firms on the War Office list of contractors were invited to tender for supplies of these shelters; and what was the reason for importing them?
§ Mr. H. BAKERStanding contracts were entered into for the supply of readymade shelters for erection in various parts of the country, orders being placed under these contracts as requirements arose. At the time when the contracts were made, it was anticipated that only a small number would be required in Ireland, and consequently only a few selected Irish firms, known to be in a fairly large way, were invited to tender. When the Irish requirements arose, time did not permit of new tenders being invited, and it was necessary to place the orders under existing contracts. About one-third of the shelters required in Ireland were ordered from an Irish firm, the rest being obtained from English firms. Judging from the price and the delivery quoted in the remaining Irish offers, I think it is unlikely that the whole quantity required could have been obtained in Ireland with due regard to economy and promptitude of supply.