asked the Minister for Defence if he can state what conditions are attached to the contracts for supplies of bread to the National Army; whether contracts for bread for the National Army have recently been placed outside the Saorstát; and, if so, whether the Minister is in a position to enforce any conditions which may be attached to these contracts.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ARMY BREAD CONTRACT.
The conditions attached to contracts for supplies of bread for the Army are rather lengthy. With the Deputy's permission I will send him a copy of them.
A contract for the supply of bread to troops in Finner Camp was placed outside the Saorstát in respect of the six months which ended on the 30th ultimo.
The Minister for Defence is in a position to enforce any conditions which may be attached to a contract which he places outside the Saorstát. Besides a general power to terminate the contract he has the right to a set off or damages against the contractor, and in the cases of some contracts against two sureties in respect of any loss arising out of the contractor's failure to comply with any of the conditions.
How does the Minister propose to enforce the conditions outside this State for contracts which involve the employment of ex-National Army men and which are placed in Northern Ireland?
The employment of ex-National Army men is not a condition of the contract. I can enforce the contract either by action in the courts, in such cases as the Deputy referred to, either here or in Northern Ireland, or by the cancellation of the contract.
Is the Minister correct in stating that the employment of a proportion of ex-National Army men is not one of the conditions—whether he is really serious in saying that— because I have seen the actual contract signed?
The conditions of the contract do not include the employment of ex-National Army men, but in asking for tenders we ask for information as to the employment given to ex-National Army men, and in the case of certain contracts for large amounts the employment of ex-National Army men is one of the things considered.
Will the Minister not say definitely whether the intending contractor has to sign a document in which he says he will employ a proportion of ex-National Army men if he gets the contract—is not that a condition of the contract?
It is not a condition of the contract, but, speaking from memory, I think that the potential contractors are asked for information about the employment of ex-National Army men.
A DEPUTY
Will the Minister tell us the difference in price that sent this contract out of this State?
A difference of three-farthings per loaf, whatever the size of the loaf is.
Will the Minister say why an alteration, was made in regard to the wording of the Fair Wages Clause in regard to contracts for supplies of bread as to which a question was asked yesterday by Deputy Anthony?
That is a separate question.
It is really an omission in the original wording of the Fair Wages Clause—an omission of certain very important words.
I do not think the words make a great deal of difference. It is an omission—I am not quite sure how it occurred—but I know that in the new forms that are being printed these words are included.
It is a very serious omission because it really governs the whole question of the Fair Wages Clause.
It does not arise on this question at all.
Is the Minister satisfied that it is good practice to add to the import of manufactured goods that could be easily manufactured in this country?
I do not think it is a good practice, nor do I think it a good practice for Saorstát bakers to charge three-farthings per loaf more than people outside.
Is the Minister sure that the bread is being baked under conditions which are governed by the Fair Wages Clause?
We have the means and the right to see that that is carried out.
Will the Minister do that in Landy's case?
Does the Deputy suggest that we have given a contract to anybody named Landy?
Is the Minister aware that bakers in the counties bordering on the Six Counties are subjected to unfair competition by Belfast bakers, involving cutting of prices and special freight rates on the railways, and that in consequence a number of these bakeries have been closed? Does he not think that the lower price quoted by the Belfast firm in this case might not be part of the game to close up bakeries in the Border counties?
The Deputy should deal mainly with what I said. In this discussion there has been no reference whatever to any contract being given to any baker in Belfast; neither do I know what the Deputy means as to unfair competition.
Is the weight of the loaf the same in both cases?
Yes.
Is the Minister aware that contractors in the Free State were refused contracts by certain councils in Northern Ireland, even though they were the lowest tender, owing to the fact that they were resident in the Free State?
I am not aware of that.
It has appeared in the Press.