§ 85. Mr. MARTINasked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that the Canadian Imperial Munitions Committee awarded large contracts for shells to Americans who had no plant and refused contracts to Canadian manufacturers who applied for contracts and were in a position to furnish the shells; and whether he will, in connection with future contracts, take steps to protect Canadian manufacturers against Americans, other things being equal?
§ Dr. ADDISONIt is not clear whether the question refers to the Shell Committee, which ceased to exist in December, 1915, or to the present Imperial Munitions Board. No such contracts appear to have been placed by either body so far as the Ministry is aware, and the steps suggested are not therefore regarded as necessary.
§ Mr. MARTINIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this matter has been recently investigated in Canada by a Commission appointed by the Canadian Government, and that such contracts were-given to America by the new Board?
§ Dr. ADDISONI can only say we made special inquiries, and no such contracts appear to have been placed by either body.
§ Mr. MARTINHas the right hon. Gentleman received the Report of the Commission?
§ 87. Mr. MARTINasked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that the charges made by Mr. Kyte, Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons, in connection with the awarding of contracts by the Canadian Imperial Munitions Committee have been found to be proved by the Commission, consisting of Chief Justice Sir William Meredith, of Ontario, and Mr. Justice Duff, of the Supreme Court of Canada, appointed to investigate these charges; and, if so, what action, if any, he intends to take as to the future operations of the said committee?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have no knowledge of the terms of the Report of the Commission to which reference is made beyond that contained in the public Press. The contracts to which the hon. Member refers were made by the Shell Committee, which was dissolved in December, 1915. No action is, therefore, possible with regard to the future operations of this committee, since it has ceased to exist. All matters connected with the supply of munitions from Canada are now under the control of the Imperial Munitions Board, in which the Ministry of Munitions has complete confidence.