HC Deb 12 March 1919 vol 113 cc1301-2W
Mr. ALFRED SHORT

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether any national factories, have been sold since 27th February or whether any offers for purchase have been received; and, if so, on what terms have these offers been made or sales completed, whether by public tender or private treaty, specifying in every case the name of the firm, person, or group of persons concerned, and the amount paid for each factory?

Mr. HOPE

One national factory has been sold since 27th February by public tender. It was sold for £140,000 to Messrs. Straker, Squire and Company, Limited. Several offers for purchase have been received, but it is obviously undesirable to give the terms of these offers while negotitions are in progress.

Mr. T. GRIFFITHS

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether any national factories have been sold since the 27th February by the Government; whether any agreements have been entered into with private firms or individuals concerning the sale or terms of sale of them or any national factories; whether, in any case in which, a national factory was managed on behalf of the State by a private firm or individual the firm or individual thus acquired any option to purchase the factory; if so, on, what terms; whether in any case the construction or the equipment of any factory was carried out by the Ministry of Munitions m accordance will the specifications or with a view to meeting post-war requirements of private firms or individuals; and whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a copy of the particulars referred to above?

Mr. HOPE

For the first part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I have just given to the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Alfred Short). For the second, third and fifth parts I would refer him to the answer given to the same hon. Member on 27th February. The reply to the fourth part of the question is that no factories or extensions were built to the specifications of private firms and individuals unless these specifications met the views of the Department in respect of economy in cost and the use of materials allowable under war conditions.