HC Deb 17 August 1916 vol 85 cc2069-71
99. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, in regard to the contracts for the supply of jam to the Army whereby the Government pays the cost of the fruit and sugar, will he say what steps are taken to secure control over the prices paid for fruit; what provision is made for the rejection of jam made from bad fruit or unsuitable sugar and what provision is made with regard to the cost of tins and cases?

Mr. FORSTER

I would refer the hon. Member to the contract form for the supply of jam, a copy of which is being placed in the Library.

Mr. SCOTT

May I ask whether it is-obvious on the face of the contract what steps are taken to secure that the fruit is good, and what provision is there if it turns out to be bad and who is responsible?

Mr. FORSTER

I think that of course is a matter of inspection.

Mr. SCOTT

I understand it is the Government which purchases the fruit, and if it is bad, who loses?

Mr. FORSTER

My hon. Friend will see, I think, by reference to the terms of the contract, that the fruit is bought by the co-operative buying of the firms engaged, and they are not competing one with another for the same fruit. They are buying it on a system of co-operation. The fruit is inspected at the works of the jam makers, and the jam is made under the inspection of Government inspectors, and the jam is inspected when it is delivered.

Mr. SCOTT

Would it not be advisable to make these controlled firms?

The HON. MEMBER

further asked—

100. At what prices jam of the present season's make is now being manufactured for the Army by the various firms of the selected number of manufacturers among whom the contract has been divided without any competitive outside tender?

Mr. FORSTER

I am afraid I cannot publish this information.

Mr. SCOTT

Is the price of the jam withheld from publication for military reasons?

Mr. FORSTER

No, I do not think it is a strictly military reason. When you have got different firms competing you do not want to publish the prices between one competitor and another.

Mr. SCOTT

Is it not the case when the contracts are being dispatched amongst a selected number of firms that the whole reason for secrecy vanishes?

Mr. FORSTER

I do not think so. The selected firms are competing one with the other.

101. Mr. SCOTT

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will place in the Library a copy of the contract for the supply of jam to the Army which is now being divided among a selected number of manufacturers without any outside competitive tender?

Mr. FORSTER

Yes, Sir.