MR. RULESTONasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether he can produce copies of all contracts entered into by the India Office for the carriage of Railway materials to India in shipments of over one thousand tons since the 10th March last, with particulars or copies of any advertisements inviting tenders for the carriage of all or any portion of such Railway materials; and, when the Report with reference to the carriage of Railway materials to India, a copy of which was promised on the 10th March last to be furnished to the House by him, will be laid upon the Table?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEWe have no desire to withhold any information which can properly be given; but to produce copies of our contracts for freight would be injurious to the public interest, and possibly also to some of the contracting shippers. No private firm would disclose its contracts under similar circumstances; and I believe that no Government Department publishes the details of its contracts. As regards the Departmental Report on freight to India, it is quite true that in promising an inquiry last year I did say that the Report would be laid upon the Table; but when the inquiry was made it was found that part, at least, of the evidence could only be obtained under a promise of secrecy, and it would be, therefore, impossible to produce it.
§ MR. E. JENKINSwished to know if the Report in question implicated any official at the India Office, or otherwise, and if that was the reason why it was held back?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEI think it will be obvious to the House that if I am unable to produce the document, it is not likely I can give the House the contents of it.
§ MR. E. JENKINSsaid, that as the Report had not been presented, he would call attention to the discussion which had taken place last year, and move for the Papers.