§ 82. Sir R. COOPERasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if any contracts have been placed in the United States since 15th January, except through the direct agency of Messrs. Morgan and Company, of New York; and whether any shells have yet been delivered to the War Office by Messrs. Morgan and Company, of New York, under contract with this firm since it was appointed agents in the United States for the British Government?
Mr. BAKERThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question in the affirmative. As regards the second part, no deliveries have yet been made, and I understand that no deliveries are yet due from any firms with whom the War Department has placed orders through Messrs. Morgan.
§ Sir R. COOPERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that it was possible at the time these people were appointed to have had these goods delivered before the 1st April had the War Office so required?
§ 83. Sir R. COOPERasked whether the War Office is in a position to place orders in the United States for munitions of war with firms who decline to negotiate in any way with or through the firm of Messrs. J. P. Morgan and Company, provided those firms are able to satisfy the War Office as to their bona fides and their ability to supply the munitions within specified time?
Mr. BAKERYes, Sir. As I explained to the hon. Member last Thursday, the War Department is free to place orders with any firm in the United States, and would do so in any proper case.
§ 88. Sir R. COOPERasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if what is known generally as the Morgan group of 2334 financiers and manufacturers comprise only one-fifth of the potential productivity of munitions in the United States; and whether the remaining four-fifths of production is lost to the British, French, and Russian Armies?
Mr. BAKERThe arrangement by which orders may be placed through Messrs. Morgan by the British or Allied Governments does not restrict them to any particular group of firms, and the Allied Governments are open to receive offers of munitions of war from any firm in the United States.
§ 89. Sir R. COOPERasked if the agents of the French and Russian Governments are under agreement with the British Government to place orders for munitions only with firms recommended by the International Commission; and if this commission have up to now consistently recommended these agents to place contracts only with firms in the United States that are within the Morgan group?
Mr. BAKERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As to the second part, I am informed that the French and Russian Governments, in placing orders in the United States, do act to a considerable extent through Messrs. Morgan, but this does not involve any limitation of their orders to a particular group of firms.