§ Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked the Under-Secretary of Sate for India if he is aware that on the following dates purchases of silver for the India Office were completed by Messrs. Samuel Montagu and Company—namely, 9th and 26th April, 28th May, 7th and 27th June, 5th July, 13th and 17th August, and 2nd, 11th, and 24th September; whether notifications of the due completion of these contracts were sent to his Department by Messrs. Samuel Montagu and Company; and, if so, why the correspondence has been omitted from the Papers already furnished?
§ Mr. HAROLD BAKERI informed the hon. Member on 22nd November that there were, in addition to the published correspondence, letters forwarding contracts notes for the instalments of the purchases, which would be circulated if he so desired. When the instalment referred to in any such letter was the last of a purchase, the firm usually, but not invariably, mentioned the fact. I attach a specimen letter of the kind mentioned:—
Messrs. Samuel Montagu and Company to the India Office, dated 26th June, 1912.We have to-day purchased £13,000 silver, being the balance of your last £250,000 order.We have the pleasure of enclosing the contract.Samuel Montagu and Company.Samuel Montagu and Company.No 61. "London,26th June, 1912.Bought for the Secretary of State for India £13,000 fine bar silver.At 28 5/16 per oz. std.Delivery 27th inst.