§ 65. Mr. SHINWELLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the position held in the Disposal Department by the person who purchased the buildings at the Georgetown munitions depot; whether an inquiry was held by the Disposal Board into the matter; if such inquiry was private; and if he proposes to furnish the House with the Report and finding of the Board?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERWith regard to the first part of the question, the hon. Member appears to have misunderstood the answer that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave on Thursday last. The depot buildings were not purchased by the ex-official of the Disposal Board but by a syndicate for which he acted as agent. Furthermore, this official resigned his position of Disposal Board local representative in Scotland as long ago as the 31st July, 1920. He is, however, a member of a firm which is occasionally employed professionally by the Disposal Board. As regards the remainder of the question, no inquiry was held by the Disposal Board, but, as I have already stated, the pro- 2754 posed sale was specially considered by the Board who, after taking all the circumstances into account, approved the sale.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs it not the case that in answer to a similar question previously put, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that an inquiry had been conducted by the Board and that they were satisfied with the result of their investigations? May I further ask, is it not the case that the individual acting for the syndicate which purchased the buildings, had in his possession information which enabled him to purchase at a lower figure than they would have been purchased at by those who offered to purchase by auction?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERThe hon. Member is entirely wrong. No such statement was made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, nor can I accept the insinuation made by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. SHINWELLRead the answer!
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERThis gentleman, as I said in my reply, left in July, 1920, and the sale was not effected until some time later.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs it not the case that the sale was conducted by private treaty, and that this person had in his possession information which enabled him to purchase at a lower figure?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is giving his opinion.
§ Mr. SHINWELLThey are afraid to answer that question. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] You can "Order" as much as you like, but they are afraid to answer.