asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that large orders are being placed in England for buttons and badges for the Post Office, Army, and Gárda Síochána; that the Post Office factory has turned out these items to estimated cost, or, in many cases, under that of previous orders; that it has been stated on several occasions that such articles were being made in the Saorstát by the Post Office factory or by other firms, and if he will state why such orders are leaving the Saorstát.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - POST OFFICE CONTRACTS.
PADRAIG O DUBHTHAIGH
With the exception of a small order, amounting to about £8, for a special type of badge, which could not be produced economically in this country, no orders for uniform buttons and badges have been placed in England. These articles are manufactured in the Post Office factory, and while this factory or any Irish firm is able to produce them at a cost which, making the usual preferential allowance in favour of Irish manufacturers, is not in excess of the British prices, there is no likelihood of orders for such articles leaving the country.