§ 42. Mr. BILLINGasked the Prime Minister whether he will give the House an undertaking that no Member of this House who is either a director or shareholder in any public or private company which benefits either directly or indirectly by Government contracts shall be appointed to the proposed Committee for financial control?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs this House to understand that it is proposed to put men on this Committee who are directly interested in Government contracts?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is not proposed to make any exception. I should have 2295 thought it was very difficult to find anyone who is not indirectly interested in Government contracts.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that throughout this country there is grave dissatisfaction, and a feeling that Members of the House and Members of the Government and special Committees are getting richer and richer through the continuation of this War?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMy belief is no such thing.
§ Mr. BILLINGIn view of the right hon. Gentleman's confession from that box not a fortnight ago that he is making a thousand per cent. interest out of the War, is he still satisfied with his reply?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, quite.
§ Mr. BILLINGDoes he propose to dispose of his shares or to continue to get richer as the War proceeds?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThese questions have no relevance to the question on the Paper.