§ Commander Marsdenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why, on or about 19th May last, a Dutch motor-vessel was employed to carry potatoes to Portland for the Admiralty contract department; whether in pursuance of the undertaking given by the First Lord on 29th November, 1934, Admiralty contractors are required to use British ships when moving cargoes coastwise; and, if this use of a Dutch vessel constituted a breach of contract, what action has been taken to deal with the offender?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThe contract referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend stipulated that British freight should be employed for the distribution of home-grown potatoes. The breach of contract which took place arose from the fact that the consignment in question was purchased for c.i.f. delivery at Portland and the arrangement of freight was thus in the hands of the sellers who unfortunately were not informed by the purchasing firm of the stipulation concerning the use of British freight. The firm have given an undertaking that this stipulation will be complied with in future.