§ 10. Commander Viscount CURZONasked the Secretary of State for War whether any new Rolls-Royce chassis have been recently acquired by the Government; if so, how many, and what is the price paid for each chassis; and for what purposes will they be used?
§ 16. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has requisitioned a number of Rolls-Royce chassis on order to firms and private individuals in this country for military use in Mesopotamia; if so, how many; and how many have been delivered and at what price?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo Rolls-Royce chassis have been requisitioned, but it has been necessary to order from the manufacturers 100 of these chassis suitably strengthened for use as armoured cars. These are now in course of delivery.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWhat are they charging for the chassis?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI cannot say with out notice.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENotice was given in the question.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt is not included in the answer. If the hon. Member will put down that part of his question again, I will see that it is answered.
§ Sir D. MACLEANHas the right hon. Gentleman taken into account the statement of the Leader of the House two days ago which gave some hope in regard to die pacification of Mesopotamia, that these orders for new armaments will be in abeyance until that policy shows some signs of fruition or otherwise?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think that would be the poorest economy. It is hoped that by these armoured cars, which are specially useful, there may be rendered possible a very considerable reduction of the man-power employed. That is a great argument for them. When you are dealing with figures of expense to which, unhappily, you are committed by Mesopotamia, 100 armoured cars is a small item, but it is an item which, perhaps, may save thousands of men.
§ Sir D. MACLEANIs the right hon. Gentleman still of opinion that it will not be necessary to submit Supplementary Estimates?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am advised that we could continue until Parliament resumed in the new year. It is not yet settled whether we shall take the Vote this Session or when we resume. If I came forward with a Supplementary Estimate now, it would have to be a larger Supplementary Estimate than if it were presented next year, because, obviously, we cannot have two, and it is so difficult to forecast in advance, when these operations are going on, what this expense will be. I am informed that it would be much heavier if I introduced it now. We must guard against uncertainty.
§ Sir D. MACLEANIn view of the general desire expressed in the House on the last occasion this was discussed, will not my right hon. Friend submit a Supplementary Estimate, even for the larger amount which he indicates?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think it would be better and more reasonable to present it towards the end of the financial year, when we shall know exactly what is the excess. There are considerable savings on certain heads. The figures, unhappily, are large, but it is quite possible that it may be less than many people suppose.
§ Sir D. MACLEAN rose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis discussion is beside the mark. The questions relate to Rolls Royce chassis, and that is a very small part of the subject.
§ Sir D. MACLEANThis also deals with Question No. 19, which raises the whole subject.
§ Mr. SPEAKERNo. It deals with Questions 10 and 16.