Mr. HEALYasked the Minister of Munitions whether the Vickers Company contributed to the shortage of munitions in 1914–15 by undertaking war contracts which it could not and did not give effect to; if he will lay before the House a Return of the amounts of the contracts for munitions accepted by this company from August to December, 1914, and the amount actually supplied there within the dates of the contracts and subsequently, respectively; is he aware that the Vickers Company, in addition to breaking contracts for the supply of munitions to the British Government, broke contracts for supply to the Russian Government, either as to quantity or time requirements; has the failure to execute the Russian contracts resulted in grave dissatisfaction and prejudiced the Russian authorities against placing contracts with British concerns, by subjecting British contractors seeking to do business with Russia to the taunt that their guarantees might be no better than that of Vickers; and, in view of the manner in which the armaments group, of which the Vickers Company is the head, has defaulted in respect to the execution of munitions contracts with the British and Allied Governments, will he appoint a Parliamentary or other Committee to investigate and report upon the matter?
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§ Dr. ADDISONThe strain upon all firms concerned in the production of munitions during the War has been very great, and in many cases firms were not able to produce the quantity anticipated. It would not be in accordance with the public interest to enter into details of such cases, nor to grant any such inquiry as the hon Member suggests.