§ Mr. LEIF JONES (by Private Notice)asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is now in a position to tell the House the result of his negotiations with the hutting agents for a reduction in the amount payable to them in respect of commission?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am afraid I am not in a position even yet to announce any definite arrangement. For some time past I have been in communication with my hon. Friend the senior Member for Devon-port, as representing the firm of Sir John Jackson, Limited, and on the 14th July last—that is to say, before the date of the publication of the Report of the Public Accounts Committee—he agreed to certain proposals which, if they can be carried out, will reduce the commission payable by, way of profit from 5 per cent, to 4 per cent.
§ Mr. O'GRADYIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that an agent of this same firm, when the men struck because they were paid sweating wages, told the men that they ought to be shot? If that is so, who is going to be shot now?
§ Mr. FORSTERI was not aware of any fact of that kind.