§ Mr. HOGGE(by Private Notice) asked the Leader of the House whether the contract for the sale of the Slough Depot will be made available to Members before the discussion on the Ministry of Munitions Vote on Thursday?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe heads of agreement are being discussed, but no contract has yet been entered into. It is impossible that any contract can be settled before the date mentioned.
§ Mr. HOGGEWill the House not be in possession of particulars with regard to the proposed sale before the discussion on Thursday?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is impossible to give particulars without giving the terms of the contract. My hon. Friend in introducing the discussion will give all the facts.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs it not a fact that contracts of considerable magnitude have been entered into for the disposal of all aeronautical material, and shall we have an opportunity of having the terms of the contract before the matter is discussed?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI believe contracts involving immense sums have been made by the Ministry of Munitions, and I am sure that if questions are put an answer will be given.
§ Mr. W. THORNEAre the Government going to gain or lose by this contract?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThey are certainly going to gain by the sale of the Slough works.
§ Mr. HOGGEIn view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman himself, on behalf of the Government, refused a discussion on the Slough Committee's Report, and in view of the fact that the Munitions Vote will be taken on Thursday, does he not think it would be possibly better to postpone that Vote until the House is in possession of the facts, particularly as we were assured by him that the Slough depot was going to be a dripping roast for the taxpayer for many years?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat phrase does not sound like one of mine. The Government did not choose the subject of the Vote. It was chosen, I think, in the ordinary way by the Opposition. There is no reason whatever to prevent it being taken.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs it not a fact that these two contracts stand alone in the various contracts with the Ministry have entered into in that they are participating profit-sharing contracts between private individuals and the Government, and in the circumstances, as the aeronautical contract has been concluded, will the right hon. Gentleman give us an opportunity to debate it?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI think the hon. Member is mistaken. I think contracts on similar lines have been made in regard to other matters. The heads of the sale of agreement will be given and any questions asked about the aeronautical agreement will be answered.