§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in September last, on the military authorities in Belfast inviting tenders for the supply of forage for all the military stations in the Belfast district, including Belfast, Dundalk, Athlone, and Belturbet, these contracts were, in each ease, given to one Belfast company, Cullen, Allen, and Co., at prices for hay, oats, and straw from 20 to 33 percent. higher than various traders, who had each of them at different times discharged forage contracts with satisfaction, had tendered for the contracts thus entailing loss of public money, and that Cullen, Allen, and Co. handed the contracts for Belfast thus obtained to one of the local traders who had tendered himself unsuccessfully, and have allowed him even higher prices than the prices at which he tendered to the military authorities, at the same time obtaining for themselves about 25 percent. profit, and have likewise farmed out the other contracts to local traders; if so, will he say what explanation, if any, have the War Office authorities to give of these contracts, which are still in existence; and whether there will be an immediate investigation into the circumstances under which these contracts were made.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThese contracts were, as usual, made by the General Officer Commanding, and were duly reported to and approved by the War Office. Messrs. Cullen, Allen, and Co. state that they did not sub-let any of the contracts, and that the business at Belfast is conducted by their own staff.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLDid this firm's tender exceed the other tenders 1368 by from 20 to 33 percent., and if so, why was this preference given?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI must ask for notice of any further Question.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLBut will there be an investigation, or will the right hon. Gentleman's connection with the city prevent that?
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!