asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if, in connection with his reply on 10th May, 1961, that it would be contrary to established practice to disclose information regarding contracts placed with individual contractors, he will state the circumstances under which certain information relating to the Limerick Clothing Factory Limited was given in a reply of 19th April, 1961.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Clothing Factory Contract.
40.
My reply of 10th May, 1961, said that it would be contrary to established practice to disclose information regarding the value of contracts placed with individual contractors. This restriction applies to the value of individual contracts or to information which might enable prices to be ascertained. The reply given to the question of 19th April, 1961, did not contain any information in regard to the value of contracts placed with any individual contractor.
Why is it established practice to give the number and not the value of articles of clothing? What is the difference in principle?
It has not been the practice to give the value because individual contractors who had tendered would know the prices at which a contract had been obtained, and it might affect prices in future contracts. The information I gave to Deputy O'Malley was of the number of garments made by an individual firm. It did not give any value.
I suggest it would be better not to give any information in respect of the number or the value, especially when arising from the reply given to another Deputy's recent question, a very misleading statement appeared in one of the Limerick newspapers.
I am not responsible for what appeared in the papers. I considered it proper to give the information that was sought on that particular occasion, as Deputies are entitled to get the information.