§ 31. Sir R. COOPERasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if any contracts have been placed with the firm of Hart and Levy, of 91, Wood Street, E.C.?
§ Sir R. COOPERIs it the fact that one of the members of this firm, an hon. Member of this House, is sitting on the Committee of the War Office dealing with the very matters for which his firm is contracting, and is this desirable in the public interest?
Mr. BAKERNo, Sir. On several occasions I have denied that in this House. The hon. Member referred to is rendering very valuable service on the Committee connected with organising work, and has no connection with contracts at all.
§ Sir MAURICE LEVYIs it not the fact that the firm in question has been a registered limited liability company for over twenty years, and is it not also the fact that the company has not accepted any Government contracts until a demand has been made for two-thirds of the output to go to the benefit of the country?
§ Sir A. MARKHAMIs the hon. Member aware that the word limited is not put in the question, that it ought to be in, and that it is very unfair?
§ 33. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of the chairman of Messrs. Spillers and Bakers, millers, that they were under large obligations to the Services for their food supplies; and what are the particulars of any contracts which may have been given to this firm by the War Office and by Territorial Associations, respectively?
Mr. BAKERThis firm has received a considerable number of orders, mainly for biscuits. I will send my hon. Friend further details if he so desires, but the prices must, in accordance with the usual practice, be excluded.