§ 18. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, of the two gentlemen employed in the work of inspecting meat for His Majesty's troops, Messrs. Lloyd and Wells, one was a chartered accountant and the other a refrigerator clerk, and that neither was a certificated meat inspector or had ever been a practical butcher; and whether he will communicate with Messrs. Perfect and Company and ask them to employ properly qualified men in future?
Mr. BAKERMr. Lloyd is not employed on Government work. I am informed that Mr. Wells is by profession a chartered accountant and has a wide experience of the refrigerated meat trade. The authorities concerned are satisfied that the work undertaken by Messrs. Perfect and Company is properly performed.
§ 19. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Mr. Frank Knowles, the Government meat inspector, has any interest in the firm of Perfect and Company; whether the latter are paid by commission for their work as Government agents; if not, will he specify the form of their remuneration and the total amount paid to them for Government work from 4th August to 30th April; and will he state the names of the persons composing the firm of Perfect and Company?
Mr. BAKERI am informed that Mr. Frank Knowles and Mr. Raymond Wells form the firm of Perfect and Company. They are not paid by commission but are in the position of Government servants, and receive salaries as such. They also employ a staff for Government work whose wages are paid by the Government.