§ Mr. PRETYMANI beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether commanding officers have authority to purchase locally necessary articles of clothing and equipment such as boots and shirts urgently required by recruits joining their units when these cannot be immediately supplied by the War Office?
§ Mr. TENNANTAs stated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on the 10th instant, officers in charge of depots have full powers to make local purchases of necessaries, and have so been informed on more than one occasion.
§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLAre they limited as to the price they can give?
§ Mr. PRETYMANAre they limited to the contract price, or have they a discretion?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have not had time to look into that, and perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice. I imagine that where the prices were minutely above the contract there would be no objection.