§ 56. Captain DONELANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will furnish a Return of all the Grants given by the Treasury for the purpose of building houses for munition workers, together with the names of the local authorities to whom Grants have been made?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt is not considered advisable to give the names of places where munition workers have been housed. In these circumstances I fear the Return asked for must be deferred.
§ Captain DONELANWould the right hon. Gentleman give the amount of the Grants given in connection with Great Britain as compared with the amount of Grants given in Ireland?
§ Mr. McKENNAI will consider the question from that point of view. I am not sure that I quite understood what my hon. Friend's point was.
§ Mr. FLAVINCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Treasury exercises any authority or jurisdiction in connection with money paid by the Munitions Department for contracts given, and whether the Treasury will see that the lowest tender handed in for the construction of these buildings is accepted?
§ Mr. McKENNAIn time of war it is quite impossible for the Treasury to interfere with individual contracts given by a Department.
§ Mr. FLAVINOn what principle does a Government Department give a contract to the second, third or fourth highest man who tenders, while the lowest, and very often the second and third lowest tenders are not accepted, and no reason is given?
§ Mr. McKENNAIf my hon. Friend will address a question to the Minister of Munitions he will give him an answer.
§ Mr. FLAVINThe Ministry of Munitions, like every other Department, will tell me that in the interests of the State they cannot make it public.