§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, having regard to the fact that the Report from the Committee of Public Accounts shows that four stewards at one of the naval depots have been in the habit of receiving from the contractor a commission of 5 per cent. on all clothing-examined, and that the Admiralty, in view of the contractor's statement that he thought it was the custom, have found it necessary to issue notices warning all employees against the acceptance of commissions, will he state whether it is clearly understood throughout the War Department that such practices are irregular; and, if not, will he consider the expediency of issuing similar notices.
§ MR. HALDANEIf my hon. friend will kindly refer to paragraph 419 of the King's Regulations, paragraph 94 of the Supply, Barrack, and Transport Services Regulations, paragraph 98 of the Army Ordnance Services Regulations, and paragraph 180 of the Engineer Services Regulations, he will find ample instructions in regard to the matters to which he alludes. There is also the usual clause in Army Contracts warning contractors of penalties in case they attempt to bribe. There are also the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1906.