§ 29. Mr. J. BECKETTasked the Secretary of State for War whether any report was directly received from the Commission sent to Oppau to investigate German methods of fixation of nitrogen; whether the original Report is in the hands of the War Office and whether it is signed by any or all of the members of the Commission?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe Commission reported direct to the Ministry of Munitions, and the documents relating to it are in the custody of the Treasury Surplus Stores, etc., Liquidation Department, and not of the War Office. I am informed that the Report is signed by the Chairman on behalf of the members.
§ Mr. BECKETTCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House the number of members of the Commission?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI believe the report was signed by the Chairman, on behalf of tin members.
§ 30. Mr. BECKETTasked the Secretary of State for War the date on which the Government factory for the fixation of nitrogen was sold, the price paid for it, and the name of the purchasers; and whether any members of the Government Commission to Oppau shortly after the Armistice are employed there?
§ 33. Mr. DALTONasked the Secretary of State for War to whom the Government factory at Billingham was sold, and when, and at what price, and what part of this price was held to represent the value of secret information in the possession of the Government regarding German methods of fixing nitrogen from the air?
§ 38. Mr. N. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give the name of the firm who purchased the Government factory at Billingham; whether he will state the terms of sale under which it was disposed of; whether the sale was effected by private negotiation or by public advertisement; and whether he can state the original cost of 1106 the factory and the price paid for it at the sale?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe Government Nitrogen Factory at Billing-ham was sold by the Minister of Munitions in April, 1920, to Messrs. Brunner Mond & Co., Ltd., for a company to be formed by them. I am informed that it would be contrary to the public interest to disclose the terms of the sale. I have asked the Surplus Stores, Etc., Liquidation Department for information as to the original cost of the factory; reference, is required to documents which are not immediately available. The factory was sold by private treaty, but it was extensively advertised before sale. I have no information as to who is employed at the works.
§ Major ATTLEEDid the sale of the factory include the whole of the research work done on behalf of the Government?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI understand this sale took place in 1920, and if the hon. and gallant Member wants further information, I must ask him to put a question down.
§ Mr. BECKETTIs it a fact that Lieut.-Colonel C. P. Pollitt, D.S.O., who was a member of the Commission, is a director of Synthetic Ammonia and Nitrates, Limited, who purchased the Government factory?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI have not the slightest idea. This sale took place at the Ministry of Munitions in 1920, and I have no personal knowledge of it. If the hon. Member wants more information he should put a question down.
§ Mr. BECKETTI beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment to-morrow night.
§ Sir JAMES REMNANTDoes not this matter relate to the Disposal Board?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSYes; the whole records were with the Disposal Board, and the reason I could not answer the former question more fully was that the documents are at Manchester in a warehouse.
§ Sir J. REMNANTIs it not the custom in this House to refuse to give any details of the transactions of the Disposal Board?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI hope there is a precedent to that effect.
§ Mr. HARDIEDid the advertisement of the sale of the factory contain any announcement that, along with the buildings, these secret documents were for sale?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI really have not the slightest idea.
§ Mr. HARDIEWhen is the right hon. Gentleman likely to have an idea?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis matter is four or five years old, and involves some little research.