WAR SUPPLIES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 133, 16 March 1940, Page 6

WAR SUPPLIES.

BRITISH COMMITMENTS.

STATEMENT REGARDING WOOL

(United Press Association. —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.)

LONDON, March 15

Commitments made by the Ministry of Supply since the outbreak of the war already exceeded £500,000,000, said Dr. Leslie Burgin, Minister of Supply. Commitments, at present being made, and contracts, being placed for munitions and stores, alone amounted to £16,000,000 a week; He had not seen a single specific allegation that a servant of the Crown had been bribed or offered an improper advantage in connection with any Govevnment contract. Any such case would be dealt with the utmost rigour. A largo increase in Government busir ness attracted people, who lived by their wits. The Government was drafting regulations making it an offence td obtain a commission by claiming ability to influence any Government servant. - , Mr Burgin stated he did not believe reports that there was a shortage of wool imports, but some difficulty regarding shipping more wool, purchased in New Zealand and Australia, than could be shipped. He added: “lb will be necessary to ration wool for civilian consumption, but there is no lack for export. Wool for home consumption and luxury purposes will be cut down by about a half, but that does not mean a shortage of wool for the country’s essential needs. Raw wool for export will he increased 25 per cent during the rationing period.”

DISMISSED OFFICIALS. - MINISTER’S STATEMENT. - • i . * \ ‘ -V r ■ • •• \ (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, March 15. In the House of Commons in reply to Mr Herbert Morrison regarding the dismissal of David Behai* and Captain C. P. Davis, Mr Robert Burgin (Minister of Supply) said there was no charge and no »allegation made against them in respect of anything done during their service. ‘'l formed the opinion tliat they were unsuitable. I. think, frankly, their appointment was a mistake.” Mr Burgin said, and added “there is no connection with the Scott case.” Mr Burgin announced the dismissal of the three appeals on. the evtj.of the sitting of a. Military Court, of Inquiry into the case of C. K. Scott, a convicted criminal and bankrupt who, it was alleged, had been introduced by a Ministry of Supply official to a firm of Government contractors.