§ MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether a large order for the supply of cordite has been placed with the outside trade, notwithstanding the fact that the ordnance factory's price was estimated at 1s. 3½d. per pound as compared to 1s. 9¼d. per pound of the outside trade; and will he give the House the quantity so ordered at this price.
§ MR. HALDANETh[...] only order placed by the War Office with the trade was a very small one at the beginning of the year.
§ MR. CROOKSCan we have the exact amount?
§ MR. HALDANEI cannot say at this moment, but I think about 30,000 lbs.
§ *MR. BELLAIRSThe right hon. Gentleman, I understand, refuses to disclose contract prices, but does he agree with the figures given in the Question? Are they not quite inaccurate?
§ MR. HALDANEI cannot disclose contract prices.
§ MR. CROOKSBut the figures have been published in the Press.
§ MR. HALDANEI am speaking of War Office Orders. I think the hon. Member is alluding to Admiralty Orders.
§ *MR. BELLAIRSIf the right hon. Gentleman lays down the principle that contracts should be given to the ordnance factory if its price is lower than that of the outside tenderer, will he carry that principle still further and give work to the trade, which tendered for 4-inch guns at over 50 per cent. lower than the cost at Woolwich?
§ [No reply was audible.]