§ Sir W. PRESCOTTasked the Secretary of State for War if he can state, in view of the general demand for economy in all Departments, whether, in the production of war medals, firms of expert medallists have been invited to tender for their production; if so, what proportion of the orders for the total number of medals produced have been awarded to such firms; what are the prices at which such orders have been placed, and what is their comparison with the cost of production at Woolwich; and whether an assurance can be given that, in all cases of future requirements of medals and medal clasps, the work will be placed out to tender by firms of medallists in com- 1985W petition with Woolwich Arsenal, so as to ensure the most economical production?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSFirms of medallists have been invited to quote for a large proportion of the work required in connection with war medals, and have secured about 40 per cent, in money value of the total orders. The individual contract prices cannot be made public, but in the case of the Victory Medal, which is the only description of medal manufactured both by the trade and by Woolwich, the Woolwich cost for the latest period for which returns are completed is, I am informed, below the trade price. The question of obtaining tenders from the trade will not be lost sight of in the event of further medals being required.