§ CAPTAIN NORTONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, if he can say whether a contractor named Louis Silberston, who was imprisoned in 1899 for attempting to bribe the police officials in connection with a contract for the supply by him of police helmets, is, notwithstanding, now supplying helmets to the officers of certain infantry battalions, and is, moreover, still indirectly connected with the War Office contracts for helmets and caps.
§ MR. BRODRICKOfficers are not supplied with helmets by the War Department. Silberston was removed from the War Office list of contractors, and there is no information to show that the Department is dealing with any firm in which he has interest, pecuniary or otherwise.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that officers commanding regiments usually give instructions to officers as to where they shall purchase their helmets, and is it not the fact that in many battalions the officers are now getting helmets from this man?
§ MR. BRODRICKI am not responsible for any suggestion which may be made by commanding officers 374 to the other officers, nor am I responsible as to where an officer chooses to purchase any portion of his uniform.