HC Deb 06 June 1935 vol 302 c2040
46. Mr. COCKS

asked the Prime Minister whether there is any Cabinet rule against Ministers holding shares in armament firms which are contractors to the Government; and, if not, does he propose to make such a rule?

The PRIME MINISTER

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar question which he addressed to me on the 19th December last, to which I can add nothing.

Mr. COCKS

Will the Prime Minister remember that the previous question did not deal with firms that were contractors to the Government, and that this question is an extension of that question?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am sorry that I disagree with the hon. Member that this question is an extension. The answer which I gave last time referred to armament firms in general. The hon. Member now specifies a certain group of armament firms, and my general answer must therefore refer to the more con fined question.

Mr. COCKS

Is the right hon. Gentle man aware that at the Arms Inquiry a statement was made that 3, 000 shares in Vickers were held by the Home Secretary, and is it in the public interest that at a time like this private profit should be made by a Cabinet Minister out of the manufacture of arms?

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

Is it not true that it is very difficult to give a definition of an armament firm, and that it is possible the Co-operative Society might come under it?