§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Under-Secretary for War whether, in view of the charges of corruption and fovouritism made in Smithfield Market concerning the supply of frozen meat to the Army, he will make public the prices paid for all meat supplies to the Army and the names of the firms from whom purchased since the outbreak of the War in August; and, if not, as all these Colonial supplies are now to be commandeered for the troops, will he state in what way the public interest is likely to be injured by the publication?
§ Mr. H. BAKERIt is the established practice of the Department, based on grounds of policy, not to make public the prices paid under particular contracts. I am not aware of any reason why an exception should be made in this case, but, as the hon. Member knows, I have already offered to give him full information on the subject.
§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Under-Secretary for War whether the meat expert who is advising the War Office is one Frank Knowles, a gentleman largely employed in valuer's work connected with the insurance of frozen meat cargoes; whether he held the certificate of the Royal Sanitary Institute at the date of his appointment; and whether the War Office has any reason to believe that he is dependent for any part of his income on employment by firms who import frozen meat?
§ Mr. BAKERYes, Sir, I am informed that Mr. Knowles' normal occupation in peace time is in connection with the848W assessment of claims for damage on frozen meat cargoes under insurance. Since the outbreak of war he has acted solely for the Government. He obtained the certificate-referred to by the hon. Member after his appointment with the War Office. He is also employed in peace time by firms who import frozen meat, but solely as an arbitrator, and I am informed that this forms quite a minor source of his income.
§ Mr. W. THORNEalso asked the Under-Secretary for War whether it was in consequence of the assistance of Mr. Gordon Campbell that meat was bought from and through W. Weddell and Company, Limited, and if not upon the advice of Mr. Campbell, will he say by whose advice the purchases were made; and among the meat bought through W. Weddell and Company, Limited, were any purchases effected from the John Cook and Company Proprietary, Limited, of Melbourne, Sydney, and Redbank, Queensland?
§ Mr. BAKERPurchases were made on Mr. Gordon Campbell's advice, not only from Messrs. Weddell and Company, but also from several other firms. Purchases were made through Messrs. Wed dell and Company from Messrs. John Cook and Company, for whom the former are agents.