§ 67. Mr. WELLSasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in placing contracts, the War Office adheres to the principle reaffirmed by Resolution 3, subsection (2), of the last Imperial Economic Conference?
§ Mr. WALSHIt is the practice of the Department to give preference within reasonable limit to goods and materials produced within the Empire, but the question of formal adhesion to the resolution referred to is not one for the War Office to decide.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWill the right hon. Gentleman give the same undertaking that Lord Derby gave at the Imperial Conference that in every case applications from Dominion sources of supply will be considered?
§ Mr. WALSHI have not sufficient knowledge of what Lord Derby or any other Lord said to answer the question. The matter of the Imperial Conference, as everyone must know, is not a matter for the War Office to decide.
§ Sir. P. LLOYD-GREAMEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware, as set out in the Blue Book of the Imperial Conference, that the Secretary of State for War stated what would be the policy of the War Office?
Lieut.-Colonel WATTS-MORGANOn a point of Order. Is it possible by any means in your power to defer questions put by hon. Members opposite till the meeting at Drury Lane is over and the now Tory leader is elected?