§ Mr. HANNONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a contract for woven wire gauze has been recently placed with a foreign contractor; what were the respective tenders of British and foreign contractors submitted to the Admiralty before the order was placed; and what is the reason for the Admiralty placing orders abroad which result in limiting the opportunities for the employment of British labour?
Mr. DAVIDSONContracts for woven wire gauze of a value of about £300 were recently placed with two British firms, who imported the material from the Continent. A substantial preference is given to British manufacturers, but this particular gauze could only have been made in this country at an extra cost of over 75 per cent. Every opportunity was given to British firms last year when similar contracts were being made to supply at lower prices, and British makers were invited to tender on this occasion,1216W but then, and again now, the orders were reluctantly placed for foreign-made gauze owing to the great difference in price. The remaining items of the contract were placed for British-made gauzes.