§ 26. Mr. WILLIAM YOUNGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the value of the timber purchased for the War Office up to the present time by their buying agent, Mr. Montague Meyer; and whether Mr. Meyer has sold any wood or timber to the Government from his own stocks?
Mr. BAKERThe value of the timber purchased througn Mr. Meyer is approximately £600,000. I am informed by the Office of Works that as much of his stock as was suitable for War Office purposes was taken over at the actual ascertained cost price.
§ Mr. YOUNGIn view of the answers given by the hon. Gentleman, I shall call attention to this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House to-morrow evening.
§ 29. Mr. JAMES HOPEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is the practice of the Department to remunerate their buyers by a percentage on the value of the material bought?
Mr. BAKERThe method of remuneration of buyers employed by the War Office depends on the special circumstances of the case and the nature of the article bought. In the case of several articles, the method referred to in the question is adopted.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEDoes the hon. Gentleman think that such a method conduces to economy—a method which enables one buyer to put £2,000 into his own pocket?