§ 41. Sir R. COOPERasked the President of the Board of Agriculture if his Department selects and orders the oil used in the tractors under the control of the Food Production Department; if not, who makes the purchase; and is he satisfied with the result of this arrangement!
§ Sir R. WINFREYLubricating oil and grease for the Department's tractors are now ordered through the Contracts Branch of the War Office, who have taken over the work from the Ministry of Munitions. The intention is to centralise the purchase of lubricants supplied for the use of Government depots. The Food Production Department are consulted before contracts are actually placed. The arrangement works well on the whole, although, as was to be expected, the supplies have not been uniformly satisfactory and certain consignments have been rejected.
§ Sir R. COOPERIs it not a fact that a large number of tractors are at present laid up owing to the use of wrong oil, and would it not be wiser for the Department that buys the tractors to buy the oil suitable for them?
§ Sir R. WINFREYI have not heard that any tractors are being laid up for want of lubricators, but if the hon. Member will give me information I will make inquiries.