HC Deb 24 March 1902 vol 105 cc819-20
MR. ALFRED DAVIES

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he is † See page 161. now prepared to state the total amount of indebtedness to Messrs. Houlder Brothers incurred by his Department during the South African War, together with any particulars available.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Lord STANLEY, Lancashire, Westhoughton)

The amounts paid by the War Office to Messrs. Houlder are as follows:—

Freight of horses to South Africa in their own ships or ships chartered by them £1,572,347
Purchase of forage including extra freight £70,473
Passage of discharged horse attendants to the United Slates and elsewhere £10,272
Total £1,653,092

It must be remembered that this firm acted as brokers for other firms, and that in consequence the above sum includes many sums paid by Messrs. Houlder to others. These charges were incurred between November, 1899, and April, 1901.

MR. ALFRED DAVIES

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the percentage paid to Messrs. Houlder Brothers by his Department on transports hired for the Government and on other transactions.

THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. AENOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.

No percentage has been paid to Messrs. Houlder Brothers by the Admiralty on transports hired by the Government, or on any other transactions,