§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War to what nationality did Meyer, described in the Butler Sales and Refunds to Contractors, 241 Report as a favoured contractor in relation both to his supply to us and his purchases from us, originally belong, and when was he naturalised; whether he has inquired, or intends to inquire, the grounds on which Meyer became a favoured contractor, and whether there is any, and, if so, what, connection between him and a person referred to in the Report as some shadowy personality occasionally showing in the background of these transactions; and what steps, if any, does he intend to take for the probing to the bottom of transactions of which the Butler Committee say in their Report they have only been able to touch the fringe.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI have no information to enable me to reply to the first part of the Question. The other matters alluded to in the Question will fall within the field of the inquiry to be held by the Royal Commission.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLThe right hon. Gentleman takes refuge in the Commission inquiry like a naughty child.