§ LORD ST. DAVIDS had the following Question on the Paper—
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether their attention has been called to evidence given before the Canadian Munitions Committee, according to which small arms ammunition was sold by Quebec Arsenal to the Vickers Maxim Company and re-sold by that firm to the Admiralty at a profit; whether this ammunition was defective, and what necessity there was for allowing a profit to any private firm or individual in a deal between the Canadian Government and the British Admiralty.
§ The noble Lord said: My Lords, the statements contained in this Question were taken from the evidence given before the Canadian Munitions Committee. His Majesty's Government, however, have informed me that this Committee has not yet reported, and that they consider it inadvisable that the matter should be at present discussed. In those circumstances I do not wish to put the Question.
§ THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE)I am very much obliged to my noble friend for not pressing his Question at the present moment. It is most desirable that we should have full information on the subject before it is discussed. I hope, however, that at an early date the noble Lord may be able to renew the Question.