§ 45. Mr. STOURTONasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the rising prices of shares of firms that may benefit from rearmament; and whether he will reassure public opinion by indicating what principles govern the policy of the Departments concerned in placing orders for arms, aircraft, and equipment to ensure that manufacturers' profits are strictly limited?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)I would refer my hon. Friend to what I said on Monday last in replying to a question addressed to me by the hon. Member for the Central Division of Bradford (Mr. Leach).
§ Mr. STOURTONCan the Prime Minister assure the House that competent firms will be given an opportunity of tendering for orders.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI believe so. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put a detailed question like that on the Paper.
§ 47. Mr. THURTLEasked the Prime Minister whether the Government, simultaneously with its other preparations to meet the possible contingency of another war, will arrange for the preparation of a scheme, through the appropriate Department, to prevent profiteering in national necessities, and will have such a scheme drawn up in a form which will make it capable of immediate application?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the hon. Member is referring to armaments, I can add nothing to the statements which have already been made to the House. The question of prices and profits in relation to other commodities in the event of a national emergency concerns many Departments, and the nature of the steps to be taken must depend upon the circumstances of the particular emergency. Arrangements are in hand to meet the contingency if it were to occur.