§ 36. Mr. T. C. TAYLORasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, at a meeting on Friday last of the manufacturers of the card clothing used in the textile trades, it was intimated to them on behalf of the Government that the Army Contracts Department was about to assume full control of the trade; and, if so, will he say what is the object of such control, upon whose expert advice it has been undertaken, and who is to exercise such control?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe manufacture of card clothing is already regulated under an Order issued by the Ministry of Munitions on 24th February, 1917 (drawn and steel rods and bars); but, for the purpose of ensuring the necessary supplies of card clothing required by British and Allied manufacturers engaged on essential war contracts, it will probably be necessary, in view of the shortage of steel wire, to take further steps to supervise and systematise the distribution of available supplies. The matter is, however, still under consideration, and no decision will be taken until representatives of the industry have been fully consulted.
§ 37. Mr. TAYLORasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many different kinds of industry are now being controlled by the Army Contracts Department; and how many more different kinds of industry are about to be added to those already under the control of the Army Contracts Department?
§ Mr. FORSTERIf by "control" the hon. Member refers to regulation of an industry under the Defence of the Realm Acts, the industries controlled by the Army Contracts Department are mainly those dealing with the following raw materials: Wool, leather, jute, flax, hemp. The manufacture of cork helmets and cresylic acid are also controlled by the Contracts Department, and the question of the further regulation of card clothing is also under consideration. It is impossible to foresee what further measures of control may be necessitated by the exigencies of the War, but no such measures will be taken unless they are considered absolutely necessary in the public interest.
§ Mr. LEIF JONESWill my right hon. Friend not publish a White Paper showing the work of the Army Contracts Department and the financial result of their operations?
§ Mr. FORSTERI think the Director of Army Contracts has already submitted to the Public Accounts Committee a very exhaustive Memorandum dealing with the matter very fully. Certainly I will consult my hon. Friend the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee to find out if he would have any objection to that Memorandum being laid on the Table. If he has none I shall be glad to do it.
§ Sir R. WILLIAMSThere can be no objection to it being laid on the Table.
§ Mr. FORSTERThen I shall be very glad to lay it.