§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will state the previous experience of the five principal persons acting under Sir Thomas Robinson in controlling the purchase, transport, and distribution of Government supplies of frozen meat; what were the names of the butchers, meat importers, or cold storage companies with whom that experience was gained; (2) if he will state the various companies engaged in pastoral finance, meat freezing, and meat shipping in which Sir Thomas Robinson holds an interest; whether any of these companies have any preferential trading arrangements with Armour and Company, of Chicago, or had entered into any such arrangements the operation of which is suspended only by the War; and (3) if he will state who are the persons in his employ engaged in purchasing, transporting, and distributing frozen meat; what are the names of the five principal persons acting under Sir Thomas Robinson; and what is the rate of their remuneration?
Mr. RUNCIMANI am satisfied that the various persons concerned with the purchase, transport, and distribution of Government supplies of meat are performing their duties in an efficient manner, and I must decline to give the details for which my hon. Friend asks in this question and in those numbered 18 and 19.