§ 63. Captain BARNETTasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the firm of Weiner and Company, now supplying machine-gun targets and landscape targets to the Army through the Stationery Office, consists of one man, Joseph Weiner, an officer in the Austrian Cavalry, who was naturalised in this country in 1906; whether he is aware that Weiner was managing director of Weiner's Litho-graphic Printing and Advertising Company, Limited, which failed in 1910 with liabilities amounting to £8,708 and assets 1807 nil; and that the Official Receiver was of opinion that the failure was in great measure attributable to the large payments made to Weiner himself for salary, expenses, rent, and advertising; and whether steps will be taken to ensure that future contracts issued by the Stationery Office shall be given exclusively to British firms of standing and repute?
§ Mr. BALDWINI understand that the facts are as stated, and that nothing is known as to Mr. Weiner having been an officer in the Austrian Cavalry. The Stationery Office was not till now aware of the previous history of the company, but before orders were placed with it inquiries which were made at the Board of Trade, the War Trade Department, and Scotland Yard elicited replies to the effect that nothing was known against it.
§ Captain BARNETTCan my hon. Friend give the House an assurance that these alien firms will be struck off the Stationery Office's list?
§ Mr. BALDWINI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Enfield earlier.