§ MR. NICHOLLS (Northamptonshire, N.)To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will grant a Return from the Army Clothing Department depôt ofthe total cost of material issued for any contract to the contractor, and the total amount received by the contractor for the same clothing.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) I fear the mischief arising from the publication of the information asked for would probably exceed the good which might result. There is, however, another mode of dealing with the evil which I think the hon. Member has in view. This mode the War Office is about to adopt as the result of a conference held last week with a labour deputation, which approached the War Office and the Admiralty on this and other subjects. If the hon. Member will speak to me privately I will tell him what steps are being taken.
§ MR. NICHOLLSTo ask the Secretary of State for War if he will grant a return from the Army Clothing Department dopôt of clothing made at their factory, and compare cost with that made by contractors.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The full details as to the cost of clothing made in the Royal Army Clothing Factory will be found in the accounts of that establishment which are annually presented to Parliament. The further point raised by this Question falls within the Answer which I have already given to the hon. Member.