§ 57. Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has in employ in virtual control of his Meat Department a person named Cairns; whether Cairns was up to shortly before the outbreak of war a partner in a firm named Warner and Cairns, of Smithfield Market; whether the actual proprietors of Warner and Cairns were either W. Weddel 199 and Company, Limited, or one of their directors, a Mr. Gordon Campbell; whether the management of Warner and Cairns was transferred to two brothers named Bates; whether Cairns was appointed to supervise. Government meat supplies on the recommendation of either W. Weddel and Company or the Mr. Gordon Campbell above referred to; and whether 2 per cent. commission is allowed to agents for the sale of Government meat but 4d. per stone to jobbers who pass it on to the retailing butchers?
Mr. ROBERTSThe gentleman in question has nothing to do with the Meat Department of the Board of Trade, and I have no information as to his business connections. As regards the last part of the question, a commission of 1 per cent. is paid to our agents for sales of Government meat ex ship, and 2 per cent. on other sales, to cover all expenses as well as profits. The wholesale distributor to whom we sell is precluded from reselling except to a bonâ-fide retailer or to charge more than ½d. per pound above the price he has himself paid.
§ 58. Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total number of sheep and lambs sold on Government account by the firm of W. Weddel and Company during the years 1915 and 1916, respectively; what proportion of these sheep and lambs was sold to the firms of Bates and Bates, Hartridge and Bates, Bates Brothers, and Bates and Chappell; and if either W. Weddel and Company, Limited, or one of the directors, a Mr. Gordon Campbell, are the actual proprietors of these firms of Bates?
Mr. ROBERTSThe Board of Trade do not consider it advisable to publish details of their sales to particular firms.