§ Captain CARR-GOMMasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Kip Committee was formed by the War Office Contracts Department without reference to the Government of India or the Indian Munitions Board; whether only one of the five firms composing the Committee had previous experience of the Indian kip trade; and, if so, whether the composition of the Committee will be reconsidered with a view to including expert old-established British firms which are at present totally prevented by the Government's action from carrying on their legitimate business?
§ Mr. HERBERT FISHERThe firms constituting the Kip Buying Committee were appointed by the Indian Government in consultation with the War Office and the India Office, it being understood that any recognisable previous German element would be excluded. The Secretary of State for India understands that it is not the ease that only one of the firms so appointed as buying agents had had previous experience of the trade. The composition of the Committee has lately been under consideration by the Government of India, but the Secretary of State for India is not at present able to make an announcement on the subject.