§ 66. Mr. MYERSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions why the following articles have been sold by the Disposal Board to the Bradford corporation, namely, 20,000 pairs of gloves, 20,000 pairs of socks, 5,000 collars, 4,200 caps, 2,000 suits, 1,000 overcoats, 2,000 vests, and 500 capes and mackintoshes; having regard to these transactions, will he state the reason why subsequent tenders of 5th and 14th May for 50,000 pairs of worsted socks, 10,000 flannel shirts and collars, and 3,000 pairs of white drawers have been declined by the Disposal Board in a letter of 27th July, after numerous communications from the corporation; having regard to the standing of this municipality and the check upon profiteering they have been able to exercise by these operations, will he reconsider that decision; and if he will state to what extent the decision not to accept further tenders from the corporation has been influenced by objections to municipal trading held by the Disposal Board or urged upon the Board by outside agencies?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Mr. James Hope)The Disposal Board were advised that a Municipal Corporation had no legal power to purchase goods for retail sale, and it was on this ground that the offers referred to were refused.
§ Mr. HOPEIt is understood that the offers to purchase were made because the Bradford Corporation wished to accumulate stock for their own employés.
Dr. MURRAYIs there any difference between this and the Government going into partial nationalisation of the fishing industry?