asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any contract for insulators has recently been given out; if so, has the order been given to firms in this country; and, if not, when it is expected that this order will be placed?

I am informed by the High Commissioner for India, who, as the hon. Member knows, controls such purchases for, and under the orders of, the Government of India, that no contract has recently been made by him for the supply of insulators. He has, how- ever, tenders now in hand for a supply of these articles, and finds that, the lowest acceptable offer (having regard to price, delivery and other relevant considerations) is that of a firm in this country for insulators of German manufacture. The contract is about to be placed accordingly.