HC Deb 03 March 1919 vol 113 cc27-8
38. Mr. ARTHUR SAMUEL

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions how many contractors were placed on the black list in respect of misconduct in the supply of war materials during the War; whether any of them were guilty of supplying munitions made of inferior metal calculated to cause loss of life in the field; and whether any of them were guilty of falsification of accounts?

Mr. KELLAWAY

Twenty-seven cases have been placed by the Ministry of Munitions on the list of ineligible contractors. Five of these were eases of knowingly attempting to pass defective material. Prosecution followed in each case and the proceedings were fully reported. The names of two contractors appear on the list for falsification of accounts. Those were offences against the Inland Revenue.

Lieutenant-Colonel GUINNESS

Has any decision yet been arrived at as to the publication of this list which was pressed for last week?

Mr. KELLAWAY

The question is still under consideration.

Lieutenant-Colonel GUINNESS

How much longer are we to wait for the decision?

Mr. KELLAWAY

Only about a week I hope.