asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (1) the prices which are quoted for protective clothing in the printed list issued by the combined purchasing section of his Department for 1954-55, (2) whether the prices tendered by one contractor were amended after the printing of the list, and (3) whether any other suppliers who made tenders were given an opportunity of amending their quotations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Protective Clothing.
It is contrary to established practice to disclose the prices of any items in the official list as published by my Department. Consequently, I am unable to give the information requested in the first part of the Deputy's question. A reduction in the prices of certain items of water proof clothing for which they were appointed official contractors was offered by one of the contractors and local authorities were notified accordingly. In regard to the last part of the Deputy's question, it is open at all times to official contractors to reduce their contract prices if they so desire.
While it may be the policy not to give such information as was requested in the first part of the question, it might also be suggested— and I put it to the Minister that it could be suggested—from the reductions made by one other firm in regard to these items, whether the amount of the reduction was such as to bring the price quoted by that particular firm just under the price which another firm had quoted, at the original date of this price list. I ask the Minister whether any significant inference could be drawn from that particular type of reduction, despite the fact that he declines to give the figures.
The Deputy's query is somewhat involved, but if he would give me the details of any specific instance I should be very pleased indeed to clarify the matter.
Further arising out of the Minister's reply would it be more to the point if I suggested that in the particular case of the firm appointed as suppliers, despite the fact that the reductions had been made after they had been appointed, the reduction then made was equal to the amount by which the original tender of the firm appointed was greater than that of another firm who tendered?
That may be but it was done in the time of my predecessor, not in my time.