HC Deb 26 June 1916 vol 83 cc548-50W
Captain BENNETT-GOLDNEY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can state, on the occasion of the War Office loaning a number of lorries to the Canadian Expeditionary Force, whether the War Office invoiced the lorries at the advanced price; whether the Canadian Government at once refused, and whether they have still refused, to pay such extra" prices on the ground of their being unjustified and excessive; and, if so, can he say to what account the disputed overcharge will be debited?

Mr. FORSTER

The hon. Member is misinformed. The Canadian Government have not refused to pay any charge raised by the War Department for lorries supplied to Canadian troops. The claims presented have been met by the Canadians without question.

Captain BENNETT-GOLDNEY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can explain why the War Office, when purchasing about 11,000 motor-transport lorries of American make, compelled the British taxpayer to pay an average of £300 per complete lorry more than was paid by either the Canadian or French Governments for identically the same article; if he can say whether the War Office made their purchases through a firm of agents, whilst the French and Canadian Governments purchased direct from the manufacturers; whether the firm of agents through whom the War Office purchased these lorries were in business before the War or whether they came into existence merely to obtain Government contracts; whether the War Office had been previously informed of the standard prices for these lorries, as well as the prices at which the Canadian and French Governments afterwards purchased; and if he can say whether such information was officially acknowledged and afterwards ignored or forgotten?

Mr. FORSTER

The hon. Member is misinformed as to the number of motor lorries of American make purchased by the War Office. I am not aware of the prices at which such lorries were purchased by the Canadian or French Government, but in the case of the War Office the conditions of purchase were entirely different, the vehicles having to be delivered in this country and handed over in good running order; and I have no reason to suppose that, taking this fact into account, the prices paid by us for any vehicles obtained in the United States compare unfavourably with those paid by other Governments for the same types. The Department had full knowledge of the standard prices at factory for the vehicles purchased. Purchases, when not made direct from the factory, a course which was often impracticable owing to the existence of options on output or exclusive agency rights in Great Britain, have been made through various channels according to the circumstance: of each case. The firm to which the hon. Member presumably refers was registered as a limited company in this country after the outbreak of war, but I cannot say how long the present business in America had been in existence.

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