§ Mr. BENNETTasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Ouse (Cambridge) Drainage Board, which is in receipt of State assistance, in asking for tenders for a motor towing-launch, 834W definitely specified that a Dutch engine was to be used; and if he will make it a condition of State grants to public bodies that they shall not specify foreign machine 7, when asking for tenders, to the exclusion of British machinery of at least equal quality?
Mr. GUINNESSIt is a condition of grants made by the Ministry to drainage authorities that the Ministry's written approval must be obtained before orders are placed for any plant or material not of British manufacture. In connection with a scheme of works to be carried out by the Ouse Drainage Board with the aid of a grant from the Ministry, the Board, some 18 months ago, submitted to the Ministry tenders which had beer received from British and foreign firms for the supply of certain plant, Including a number of barges and a motor tug. The Ministry informed the Board that the lowest British tender should be accepted, although by no means the lowest of all tenders received. The Ministry was not, however, aware at the time than the engine of the tug was to be of Dutch manufacture. A second motor tug is now required, and as it is essential that, to facilitate the interchangeability of parts, this second tug should be similar to that already purchased, it was necessary when inviting tenders to specify the type of engine to be used.