To ask the Minister for Finance if he is aware that traders in the South have been severely handicapped when tendering for Government contracts owing to the short notice given, and to having in most cases to travel to Dublin to inspect samples, and if he will take steps to see that sufficient time will be given in future notices, and to establish an office in Cork at which samples could be inspected, thereby enabling the Southern traders to compete on equal terms with traders in Dublin.

Owing to emergency requirements of the Army, Civic Guards and other Departments it has not always been possible to give long notice when inviting tenders for Government contracts, but every effort will be made in future to give ample notice, and, if possible, to arrange that firms desiring to tender can be supplied on application with samples of the articles required.