§ 4. Mr. KINGasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the allegations established in the recent armament trial in Tokio, showing that bribery to secure contracts was resorted to by the agents of the armaments firms; whether inquiry will be made into the position of the Vickers Company in this matter; and whether, if bribery is found to have been practised, the firm in question will be struck off the Admiralty list of naval contractors?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir. I have no knowledge of the accuracy or otherwise of the statements in the question, and I do not propose to make the inquiry suggested as I have no reason to assume that British naval interests are in any way affected.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the firm of Messrs. Lipton has been struck off the contract list of the War Office for action quite similar, if not identical, with that which has been brought home to a certain armament firm in Japan?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not know of any facts which justify a statement of that kind, and it is a very serious statement for the hon. Member to make in regard to 435 a firm which certainly plays a very necessary part in the supply of British armaments.
§ Mr. KINGDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise that my accusation is not against the members of the firm or their directors, but against their agents in Japan?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have no information that will enable me to pronounce on a matter of that kind, and I do not quite understand why I should be called upon to pronounce upon what takes place in Japan.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEIf the agents exceed their instructions would there be the smallest reason for proceeding against the firm?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have no ground whatever for striking the firm off the list.