§ Mr. MYERSasked the President of the Board of Trade the precise nature of the duties undertaken by Mr. Meyer under the timber section of the Department between October, 1914, and June, 1916, with such salary, commission, or other emoluments secured by that gentleman during that period; whether, since June, 1916, Mr. Meyer has held any further post under the Department; and, if so, what were the responsibilities of the office and the salary attached thereto?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANFrom October, 1914, until June, 1915, Mr. Meyer was employed by His Majesty's Office of Works to purchase and distribute timber for the Government, and for these services he was paid a commission of 2½ per cent. From June, 1915, to June, 1916, Mr. Meyer continued to render similar services, but the rate of commission was reduced to 1½ per cent., with the stipulation that the total amount of commission should not exceed £12,000 per annum. In June, 1916, Mr. Meyer and his partners agreed to act only on behalf of the Government. The remuneration of the firm under this arrangement was £11,000 per annum, and they were prohibited from undertaking private business. From October, 1914, until August, 1919, Mr. Meyer's firm acted as Government timber buyers. At the latter date the Government had ceased to purchase timber through Mr. Meyer, and he has since acted for the Board of Trade in disposing of the stocks of timber held and completing contracts for purchase already made. Mr. Montague Meyer and Mr. Percy Meyer were appointed directors of the Imported Timber Disposal Section at the same remuneration, namely, £11,000 per annum. The arrangement teminated on 15th May last.