§ 41. Sir E. CORNWALLasked the Minister of Munitions if his duties embrace the provision and regulation of raw material for the use of firms at work on Government contracts for munitions of war; whether his powers extend to inquiry into the high values of metals and the possible existence of means of restricting supplies and raising values; and whether all orders for the commandeering of stocks of raw material in the possession of private firms are issued in his name?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, so far as I am aware, I have all the necessary powers for the purpose. As regards the last part of the question, no commandeering has been resorted to, but arrangements have been made with private firms to ensure that metals required for munitions of war are not used for other purposes.