HC Deb 03 March 1915 vol 70 cc792-3
50. Mr. PARTINGTON

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the increase in expenditure at the War Office and the Admiralty, he will consider the advisability of appointing an advisory committee to assist these Departments in their purchases, so that due regard may be had to economy consistent with the pressing needs of those Departments?

51. Mr. W. YOUNG

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the dissatisfaction which exists in the business community and in the country generally with regard to the placing of Government orders and contracts, he will consider the appointment of a consultative committee of business men, composed of Members of the House of Commons and men of approved standing outside, with full powers to examine into and advise upon the business and commercial operations of the Departments affected by the War, and, more especially in view of their magnitude, in connection with War Office purchases and contracts?

The PRIME MINISTER

Sir Francis Hopwood and Sir George Gibb have been appointed directly to supervise the placing of Admiralty and War Office contracts respectively, and the strictest attention is given to economy of purchase consistent with the celerity demanded by war conditions. Since the outbreak of war the War Office have profited by the advice of men of approved standing in all the large branches of trade. As the Financial Secretary informed the House recently, the War Office are now considering whether these informal consultations may not be systematised in the form of committees.

Mr. W. YOUNG

Is it not the fact that the gentlemen mentioned in the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's reply are already overburdened with work, and, therefore, are quite incapable of coping with the great necessities of the two great buying Departments of the Government?

The PRIME MINISTER

I do not think they are. They are both very able men who devote the whole of their energies to their duties, and, so far as I know, they perform them efficiently.

Mr. R. GWYNNE

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that those two gentlemen are instructed that contracts should not be given to firms of German nationality or to firms which have a large proportion of German directors on the board?

The PRIME MINISTER

I do not think that arises out of the question.