§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether Birmingham has placed a large contract for rails for the tramway lines with an American firm after tenders had been invited from British and American firms; and whether he will give publicity to all the large contracts which are placed abroad, in order that data may be known when the Bill for the protection of key industries is introduced?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am aware of the contract to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. I understand that it was entered into owing to the urgent necessity of reconstructing certain tramway routes which were in a very defective condition, and the fact that British manufacturers could not undertake delivery except at dates which would have prevented the work being completed this summer. In this connection I would point out that the heavy iron and steel industry is at present very fully occupied, and that there is considerable difficulty in meeting the demands upon it. The Board of Trade have no power to require information to be furnished to them as to contracts placed abroad.