§ 25. Commander Viscount CURZONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now state what is the price paid for the Rolls-Royce chassis recently acquired by the War Office?
§ 29. Sir THOMAS BRAMSDONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now state what was the price paid for the 100 Rolls-Royce chassis ordered for military use in Mesopotamia and now being delivered?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere are objections, on grounds of public policy, to publishing the prices quoted by manufacturers to the War Office, and I regret that I am unable to give the information asked for in this case. I may mention, however, that a substantial rebate has been obtained on the ordinary retail price.
Captain TERRELLMay I ask if the Department consulted the Disposal Board to find out whether there were any Rolla-Royce chassis available?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLPerhaps the hon. Member will put that question on the Paper.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe hon. Gentleman asks a question of which he has given no notice, and which does not arise directly out of the question on the Paper. If the hon. Member puts the question on the Paper, I will answer it.
Captain TERRELLWhy does the question not arise as it deals with Rolls-Royce chassis for Mesopotamia?
§ Mr. LAMBERTIs it intended to send any of these to Mesopotamia now, having regard to the policy of the Government?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, it is all the more necessary to send them now, as we hope to withdraw a great many troops, and to use those cars to get and keep the country in a state of order.
§ Mr. HOGGEWill not the price of the chassis appear in the Estimates which the War Office must present to this House; if so, why not give the price now?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAre we to understand that we are going to be permanently responsible for keeping order in Mesopotamia, after the troops have been withdrawn?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThis subject has to be debated. I certainly do not understand that the troops will go away, and leave the country to go to wreck and ruin. What we wish to do is to set up an Arab Government, like many of the Governments we have set up, and offer it a certain amount of aid.
§ Mr. HOGGECan I not have an answer to my question? Is it not the fact that the price of these chassis must appear on the Estimates which we must approve?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not think it is the practice. I do not think the price will appear, and the reasons which prevent the price appearing prevent me from giving an answer now. If the price will appear, then of course the hon. Member will get the information.