§ 74. Mr. KNIGHTasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount received for the purchase by Messrs. Cammell, Laird, and Company of the national ordnance factory at Nottingham, in pursuance of an agreement with the War Office dated 16th November, 1923?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence)I would refer by hon. and learned Friend to the answer given him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War on the 21st July.
§ Mr. KNIGHTAre there any circumstances connected with this transaction which render a public disclosure inadvisable?
§ Mr. PYBUSCould the hon. Gentleman say whether there is any sane financier in the country who would give at the present time half what Cammell, Laird, and Co. gave for that factory?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEWith regard to the first supplementary question, I will look into the question whether under the circumstances some figures could be given, and I will consult my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. I think the second question was not intended to be answered.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENDoes the hon. Gentleman not agree that the publication broadcast of the details of commercial transactions makes it very difficult for people to deal with Government Departments?
§ Mr. KNIGHTDid not this transaction relate to the sale of public property, and is there any particular reason why the figures should not be made public?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEThis happened eight years ago, but I will look into the case. I am not making any promise to disclose the figures, but if the circumstances have changed, I will see if we can give any information.