HC Deb 04 October 1939 vol 351 cc1960-1
74. Mr. Fleming

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that, under the Order-in-Council controlling timber, traders have to disclose to the controller and assistant controllers in each section full details of their business; that the controllers and assistant controllers are in many cases trade competitors; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent misuse of this information for the personal use of the controller and assistant controllers?

Mr. Burgin

It is necessary, for the effective working of the control, that particulars should be furnished to the control of stocks and sales of timber, and I have made Orders requiring such returns to be rendered. As was explained in the reply which my hon. Friend gave on 28th September to a question by the hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr. Storey), the controller and his staff have ceased for the time being from any active participation in business enterprise in any way connected with the industry.

Mr. Fleming

Will my right hon Friend attempt to answer the latter part of my question and say what steps have been taken to prevent the controllers or the assistant controllers from misusing information later on which they obtain while in office? That is the point.

Mr. Burgin

All the controllers are bound by this very proper regulation, that they give an undertaking to cease from active participation in the business. I really think that, as the controllers are under Ministerial control, no question of the improper use of information need arise, and if it does arise, that it can be dealt with administratively in the Department.

Mr. Garro Jones

What does it matter about active participation, if their financial interest remains in their existing businesses?

Mr. Leonard

Will the regulation preclude the possibility of a trade organisation instructing the men who are doing the job?

Mr. Flemings

Are the controllers on oath not to disclose information?

Mr. MacLaren

That would not matter.

Mr. Burgin

It is very important to realise, in dealing with this control, that you must have people from within the industry, and the degree of restriction which this House thinks it right to impose must not be so great that we cannot have men from within the industry to do the job. By securing an undertaking that they willrefrain from active participation in business enterprises connected with the industry we have done what is reasonable and proper for the House to expect.

Sir P. Harris

What is the name of the chief controller?

Mr. Burgin

Major Harris.

Mr. MacLaren

Doesthe present controller belong to the same firm as the controller who controlled the wood during the last war?

Mr. Burgin

I think not.

Mr. MacLaren

Then think again.

Mr. Fleming

On a point of Order. In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman seems inadvertently to have made two mistakes in his replies, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the first opportunity upon the Adjournment.