§ 28. Mr. HARDIEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the firm of Rootes to whom contracts may be given is the same firm as that called Rootes Properties, Limited, or Rootes Securities, Limited, or Rootes, Limited?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)The organisation with which the contract will be made is Rootes Securities, Limited.
§ Mr. HARDIEWhat was the reason for only two firms being chosen, as mentioned in the speech on 29th May, when the House was closing for the Whitsuntide holidays and no time was given for discussion? Now that I see the Minister in his place, will he come forward with some information?
§ Sir P. SASSOONA great many more than two firms were consulted.
§ Mr. HARDIEBut the only two names mentioned in that speech are those of these two firms, and we on this side would like to know what is meant by the fact that this took place without this House having the slightest information and the matter being dealt with on a day when there was no possibility of a vote or a full discussion. You are burking something; what is it?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI do not quite understand the hon. Member.
§ 29. Mr. McGHEEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the technical qualifications of the directors of Messrs. Rootes with whom negotiations are in progress for the production of aero engines?
§ Sir P. SASSOONRootes Securities, Limited, control a group of well-known automobile firms, and the manufacturing experience and technical ability of the staff of these firms will be enlisted for the production of aero engines.
§ Mr. McGHEEIs it not true that Messrs. Rootes are purely financiers and not technical engineers at all?
§ Sir P. SASSOONNo, they have ample engineering experience.
§ Mr. HARDIEThe statement is that they employ certain experienced people, but the question asks what are the technical qualifications of these men who are around the Minister himself, and what technical qualifications has the right hon. Gentleman himself to know whether these technical men are themselves fully qualified to advise him? Is this not another ramp, the same as in 1914?