Mr. T. WILSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the cancellation of certain contracts entered into with Messrs. Jennings of Bristol for the supply of ammunition and cartridge boxes; whether he is aware that this matter has been under consideration for at least twelve months; and whether he will have a settlement expedited, ant the money due to this firm paid without further delay?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe contracts were cancelled owing to numerous rejections and great delay in delivery. The firm refused to accept the final settlement offered to them in payment for work done and material taken over by the Admiralty arrived at as a result of cost investigation, and the matter was therefore referred to our legal advisers. The case is very complicated, but during the period it has been under consideration the firm has had advance payments of £11,000.