HC Deb 23 December 1937 vol 330 cc2160-1
67. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the maximum rate of profit permitted in War Office contracts during the past two years in the three highest cases, and the amount of contracts in each case?

The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Sir Victor Warrender)

It would be contrary to the public interest to disclose specific rates of profit, but the hon. Member may rest assured that the general level of profits allowed is no higher than is fair and reasonable having regard to the circumstances of each particular case.

Mr. Mander

Is the Minister aware that the Air Ministry found no difficulty in providing this information; and, in view of the fact that one Defence Department can do it, is it not obvious that others can do it; and will he be good enough to reconsider the matter with a view to supplying the same information?

Sir. V. Warrender

My answer to the hon. Gentleman is exactly in line with the answer given to him on 7th April by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence.

Mr. Mander

But is the Minister aware that I am referring to an answer given to me by the Air Minister in the last few weeks, when the information asked for in this question was given in respect to the Air Ministry; and will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to reconsider the matter and consult other Departments?

Sir V. Warrender

The hon. Member had better put a question down, to the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence. I cannot answer for other Departments.

Mr. Mander

I do not want information from the Air Ministry or the Ministry for the Co-ordination of Defence. I want the same information from the War Office with regard to War Office contracts as was given to me by the Air Ministry. Surely that is the reasonable demand?

Sir V. Warrender

I cannot give any undertaking of that kind. The hon. Member knows perfectly well that it would be undesirable to give the information.

Mr. Mander

I have already been given it by the Air Ministry.

Sir V. Warrender

I do not think the questions are exactly parallel. It is not a question of my Department wrongly withholding information. The hon. Member knows that to give these profits would not be in the public interest.

Mr. Mander

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter later. The answer is entirely unreasonable.