HC Deb 28 November 1922 vol 159 c478
15. Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the War Office satisfies itself that persons and firms are financially solvent before contracts to buy or to sell are entrusted to them?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Lieut.-Colonel Jackson)

Yes, the War Office takes such steps as are necessary to ascertain the general standing and credit of its contractors before placing contracts with them.

Mr. SAMUEL

Why were not the same precautions taken with Messrs. McGrigor before the War Office continued to allow them to call themselves Army agents?

Lieut.-Colonel JACKSON

I do not think the two cases are quite analogous. It is not a question primarily of public money.

Mr. SAMUEL

Why were these agents allowed to call themselves Army agents, if they were not Army agents?