§ Captain W. BENNasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he will give a list showing the names of firms who have purchased munitions of war from any branch of his Department; and what conditions, if any, have been laid upon the purchasers?
Mr. HOPEThe following firms have purchased surplus warlike stores from the Disposal Board:
The special conditions applying to the sale of warlike stores are as follows:
- The Sabellum Trading Company.
- Messrs. Armstrong, Whitworth & Company.
- The National Metal and Chemical Bank.
- The Compania de Nyassa.
- The Wilkinson Sword Company, and Messrs. Kynoch, Ltd.
- (a) Before entering into negotiations, it is pointed out to the firm that
1785 no arms or ammunition can be supplied without War Office authority, and applicants are required to apply to the Director of Military Intelligence at the War Office for a special licence to purchase. Without such licence no sale is effected. - (b) If arms or ammunition are required for export a further permit has to be obtained from the Export Licence Department of the Board of Trade, and without such permit no sale is effected by the Disposal Board.
§ Captain BENNasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether he will give a list showing the names of firms who have purchased munitions of war from any branch of his Department; and what conditions, if any, have been laid upon the purchasers?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe only sales are a few thousand rounds of small arms ammunition and one rifle, which have been purchased by three firms for experimental work and testing purposes. As regards the last part of the question, the firms cannot re-sell without a licence from the War Office.