§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Government held any communication with Mr. Rhodes, or any person or persons professing to represent Mr. Rhodes, or any persons professing to represent Mr. Bergl, or any of his associates in the Bergl contract, before the tender for the meat contract in South Africa was submitted by Mr. Bergl. And whether, before the contract was granted to Mr. Bergl, any assurance was conveyed, either to him or to anyone associated with him, or to anyone who could convey such information to him or any of his associates in the contract, in regard to distribution and storage of meat in South Africa.
LORD STANLEYNo communication of any sort took place between the Government and Mr. Rhodes, or anyone professing to represent Mr. Rhodes, before Mr. Bergl submitted a tender for the meat contract. A number of firms who might possibly compete for the contract were invited to call at the War Office to obtain any information they required before tendering. Over 30 attended, amongst whom was Mr. Bergl, and the same information was supplied to them all.