§ 72. Mr. NEWBOLDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the estimated original capital cost of the goods sold by the Disposal Board for the sum of £647,000,000; whether he is aware of the widespread uneasiness in the country concerning these transactions; and whether he will take powers to obtain a sworn declaration of the names and addresses of the partners and shareholders in the concerns which have had contracts with the Disposal Board?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERThe information referred to in the first part of the question is not available, and the answer to the remaining parts of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. SHINWELLHaving regard to the allegation made that certain ex-employés of the Disposal Board are undertaking transactions of the kind referred to in the question, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman make very careful inquiry as to the bonâ fides of those who are purchasing goods from the Disposal Board?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERI can assure the hon. Member, I am continually having questions of that kind put to me and only this morning I was in negotiation for investigation into certain cases. The Treasury, and everybody else connected with the Disposal Board, are quite as eager as anybody else to elucidate any matters which have any foundation in fact as regards the contravention of honest rules.
Mr. SH INWELLWhen his inquiries into the matter to which he refers are completed will the hon. and gallant Gen- 1303 tleman acquaint the House with the facts?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERI do not think that arises out of the question.
§ Mr. SHINWELLBut it is very essential.