§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the South African Railways Administration has accepted a German tender for six Class 16 D.A. locomotives, and at what price; whether any British firm put in a tender; and, if so, what was the lowest price quoted by a British firm?
§ Mr. GILLETTHis Majesty's Trade Commissioner in South Africa has reported that the South African Railways Administration accepted a tender for six locomotives Class 1C D.A. from a firm in Germany and that at the same time another order was placed with a firm in Great Britain for 18 locomotives Class 15 C.A. I understand that as the locomotives in question were required very urgently, the tenders were called for at short notice, but that the local agents of British manufacturers were invited to tender, and did in fact do so. I have no official information as to prices, but it was stated in the Press that the cost of the 16 D.A. locomotives placed in Germany was £40,500.