2. [COPY.]

Committee Office,

5th June, 1923.

MY LORD,

Your letter has been submitted to the Committee, and I am instructed to say that the Committee consider that any amendments to the Terms of Reference should have been proposed when the question was before the House of Commons, and that it is too late now to amend the Terms.

INDEX.

A.

Admiralty.-Correspondence with N.A.A.F.I. re distribution of profits,
1922, App. 5 (p. 315-6) -Retention by N.A.A.F.I. of share of, in
profits of N.A.C.B., Plender 1385-9; Cherry, 3534.

5, Argyle Place, Depot at.-Report p. 17; Rae Smith 1947-50-

-Criticism,

Wolmer 58, 127-9- -Deliveries from, Wolmer 58, 127-9; Towle 2827,
2861-4- -Loss on, Towle 2827- Outsiders may have made pur-
chases but not on large scale, May 2088; Towle 2866- -Reason for
opening and nature of business done at, May 2027, 2087-9; Towle
2827, 2865-8.

Army Council.—“ Gambling with profits of ex-service men," Wolmer 40,
statement not agreed with, Rae Smith 1938-42.

Ascher Wet Canteen.-Unnecessary expense in fitting up before permis-
sion obtained, Roberts 961-6.

Askwith, Lord.-Letter to Select Committee re State trading, and reply,
App. 18.

B.

Baghdad.-Cigarette dump, disappearance of, McGurk 167, 188-99,
204-10, 214-5, 260-6, 292-8, 307-9, 315, 382-97, 407-15; Waller 864-72
Crediting of cash balances and ullage in two different trading
accounts, Waller 679-710-Hairdresser's shop fitted up, never opened
and fittings taken to officer's quarters for officer's private use, Roberts
967-86- -Hillah canteen stores sold at, at too high a price, Waller
712-7-Mystery tent, alleged sending to, by Mr. Sainsbury for
champagne, whisky and cigars, Waller 576-93 -Proceedings at,
letter from Major Treasure, App. 9— -Remission of rupees by witness
in own name for superior officer (Major Arthur John Treasure), Roberts
1017-59, letter from Major Treasure re, App 9 (p. 331).

Barrie, C. C., and Goff, J. C.-Letter from, respecting loss that would
have resulted from forced sale of Navy and Army Canteen Board
stores, Plender 1391; App. 5 (p. 317-8).

Beaumont, Captain (Mesopotamia canteens).-Charge against, of taking
six bottles of whisky from canteens without payment, Waller 558-72.
BENSON, COLONEL F.-Dismissed after Armistice, and action taken against
War Office for breach of contract, Long 2978-9, 3000--Formation of
Expeditionary Force Canteens by Sir Alexander Prince, and, in 1915,
May 1968-71, 2043-Valuable work done by, and continued employ-
ment of, would have prevented losses, Long 2974-90, 3000.

EVIDENCE 2096-2171.

Van den Bergh, Major, date of appointment 2152.

BLAKE, GEORGE.-Connection with Watford Development Company, and
sales to, at excessively low prices, Fisher 1710, 1910-3; Rae Smith
1710-2- Evidence unreliable, Report p. 37-Financial position,

BLAKE

BLAKE, GEORGE―continued.

Fisher 1604-17; Rae Smith 1617, enquiries re, Van den Bergh 2739 -Interview with, on return from Russia, Lensh 3445-6-Introduced to Board by Mr. Hyde, Van den Bergh 2339-43-not Introduced Introduction of Mr. to Board by Mr. Hyde, Van den Bergh| 2409– Hyde to, and arrangement between, Report p. 33-45, 34-5; Lensh 3437-42, 3458Leakage of information to, see under Knightsbridge -Refusal to attend Office no Money now owed by, Fisher 3577-Relationship Committee of Enquiry, Fisher 1914-20; App. 11 (107)with Mr. Hyde, Report p. 33-4; Fisher 1568, 1569, 1572-4, 1793-7; Rae Smith 1569-71, 1575; Lensh 3463-4. Sales to: Report p. 22-7--Answers in the House re, made on information supplied by Board with insufficient knowledge of facts, Rae Smith, Fisher 1714- -Cancellation of certain contracts, Fisher 1614-6, 1617; Rae Smith 1617-Credit allowed to, contrary to instructions, Fisher 1604-6; Van den Bergh 2696-7--Delivery orders released without payment and subsequent proceedings, Report p. 23-4, p. 35-6, 37; Rae Smith, Fisher 1584-97, 1601-3, 1758–69; 3372-410, Towle 2955; Blake 3197-217, 3242-90, 3298-324, 3330-3, Mr. Blake went to Bank unaccompanied, Kerr 3550, 3552. 3555, 3556, 3572-3, cables between Sir F. Towle and Major Van den Bergh, App. 14, correspondence re, App. 17, deposit of orders with Bank of Montreal by Mr. Blake and return to him, Kerr 3537–74, explanation of circumstances, Van den Bergh 2433-54, 2584-90, 2716-33, orders made out in favour of N.A.C.B. and not endorsed by them, Kerr 3554, question as to person signing, Towle 2803-5, 2814-5, question of responsibility, Towle 2809-15, no record of signature on behalf of NA.C.B., Kerr 3556-7, 3560, 3569-71, report by Committee of Enquiry, 1920, App 11 (85-8), return to Mr. Blake from Bank on telephone message from Major Boyd, Kerr 3545-7, 3553, no recollection of message, Boyd 3721-5, witness accompanied to Bank by Mr. Hyde, 8th October, and by Mr. Pooley, 8th December, mistake made in previous evidence, Blake 3746-814-Loss on, Rae Smith 1834-49, 1903-5, 1927-31-Option, Report p. 23; Fisher 1633; Van den Bergh 2423, Blake 3221–7; App. 11 (84–5) Pâtés contract, taking over of, by Mr. Hyde, cancellation of, and subsequent proceedings, Report p. 24-6; Fisher, Rae Smith 1618-32, 1793-802, 3576; Boyd 3006-63, 3078-81, 3585-629, 3657-95, 3696-720, 3726, 3735-6; Blake 3334-45, 3347-52, 3744-5; Cherry 3484-532, 3816, correspondence and memoranda re, App. 16, extracts from Minutes of Meetings of Board of Management, re, App. 16 (p. 387-8), no knowledge before made that sale to Mr. Wright had not gone through, Boyd 3726-34, was was misleading, but regret that original statement in good faith, Boyd 3726, 3734, report by Committee of Enquiry, 1920, App. 11 (93-9)-Prices paid by, Report p. 32-3, App. 11 (100-4), personally considered satisfactory, Fisher 1634-6, 1798-800, 1910, comparison with prices obtained in other sales, App. 11, question -Questions of explanation, Van den Bergh 2337-59; Towle 2834-8 and answers in the House of Commons, App. 11 (p. 359-60), p. 361— Refusal of N.A.A.F.I. to continue dealings with, Fisher 3576-Report Report by Committee of Enquiry, 1920, App. 11 (75-108)by Messrs. Deloitte, Plender & Co., 1920, App. 11 (p. 364), 366–9Steps taken to enforce payments by, Report p. 36-7; Fisher 32334, 3575-6 £250,000 transaction with Mr. Hyde and, for re-export to Germany, Fisher, Rae Smith 1576-84; Van den Bergh 2411-31.

BLAKE

Report, 1923-continued.

BLAKE, GEORGE-continued.

EVIDENCE of, 3082-3434, 3739-3814.

Dealings with Board, question as to individual dealt with 3244-82Debt to N.A.C.B. 3218-21, 3228-32, 3234–41, 3291-7, 3317-8Delivery orders, obtaining of 3197-217, 3242-90, 3298-324, 3330-3, 3372-410, accompanied to Bank by Mr Hyde on 8th October and Mr. Pooley on 8th December, previous evidence a mistake 3746-84, deposit of delivery orders with Bank and subsequent return 3205-18, 3305-24, 3330-3, 3378-404-Direct dealings with Board after a time 3160, 3173- -Fisher Enquiry 3085-98, 3106-8 -Hudson, Mr. 3116-33, 3411-5- -Hyde, Walter 3139-45, 3147-73, 3187-92, 3197-217, 3353-6, 3416-28, 3432-4 Knightsbridge Office, obtaining of information from, 3085-108, 3113-4, 3130-8, 3325-9, 3346-Lensh, Colonel 3174-96, 3739-43with N.A.C.B. 3353-53334-45, 3347-52, 3744-5Board 3430-1- Sales 3115 £250,000 deal 3367-9.

Nature of business before transactions -Option 3221-7-Pâtés transaction -no Payment ever made to anybody at the -Tuckett Tobacco Company 3357–63

Blannin, Miss.-Dismissal, Boyd 3066
Fisher App. 12 (10).

Statement by, Report p. 21;

BOYD, MAJOR A.-Criticism of transactions by, Report p. 37- -Evidence unreliable, Report p. 37—and Delivery orders, Van den Bergh 2451-4 -Transactions with Mr. Hyde, Fisher 1620–32- -Transactions re pâtés, Report p. 24, Cherry 3493-532; App. 11 (96–9); correspondence re, App. 16-Tribute to, and mistakes in connection with pâté deal nothing but foolishness, May 2032.

EVIDENCE 3001-3081, 3583-3738.

Hyde, Walter 3011-3, 3595-600, 3631-56, 3726--Knightsbridge Office, leakage of information to Mr. Blake 3064-76, 3078--Pâtés transaction 3006-63, 3078-81, 3585-720, 3726-38- -Sales, question re signing of contracts 3690-5-alleged Telephone to Bank of Montreal 3721-5.

Bradshaw, Mr. (Mesopotamia).-Charge against, Waller 911-57. British American Tobacco Company.-Contract, Fisher, Rae Smith 1478-87, 1882-3; Towle 2939-40, explanations by Sir F. Towle, Fisher, App. 12 (p. 373), report by Committee of Enquiry, 1920, App. 11 (34-42); report by Messrs. Deloitte & Co., 1920, App. 11 (p. 367). Burdon, J. R.-no Complaints or suggestions made by, in interviews after return to England, and further work asked for, Durnford 2269, 2297-8-Engagement of, Durnford 2264–6 -Letter from Major Treasure re, App. 9-Reply to "Truth" article re, Durnford 2269 -alleged Suggestion of collusive action with A/Sergt. Lloyd and Sergt. Waller in own interests, Durnford 2324-7, App. 9, p. 528.

C.

Calais.-Disposals auctions, ridiculous prices obtained for E.F.C. stores, McGurk 186, 200-4, 211-13, 236-45, 279–91, 335-9, 355-68, 443–47. Callender, Mr.-Re-engagement of, Waller 711.

Canteens

Report, 1923-continued.

Canteens. Employment of women in, and success of, May 2091—Table showing periods during which business relative to permanent and temporary areas respectively was conducted by various bodies, Rae Smith App. 4.

CHERRY, EDWARD HAZLEHURST 3481-3525, 3815-6.

Colonial Forces, payment to 3533, 3534- -N.A. and A. F. Institutes 3534-Pâtés, transactions 3484-532, 3816--United Services Fund, payment to 3533, 3534.

Cigarettes transactions- -See British American Tobacco Company, Field, Mr., and Tuckett Tobacco Company.

Cologne Canteens.-Irregularities and theft, McGurk 183-5, 269-76,

345-52.

Colonial Forces.-Correspondence re payments to, from canteen profits, App. 5 (p. 312-5)-Payment to, Cherry 3533, 3534.

Constantinople.-Accountants, shortage of, Waller 724-7-Army rations, eating of, by unofficial wives, Waller 895-8-Bomonti Brewery, E.F.C. agreement with, and particulars of transactions, Durnford 2185-209--Bookkeeping errors, Waller 718-23, 803-12- -Brewery, excessive malt shipments to, and wastage and sale for fodder, Waller 740-6, "Truth" statement, reply to, Durnford 2179-209, 2215, 2312-3, facts of case, Report p.16-17-Butter, alleged wastage of, Waller 511-24, 638-647, reply to "Truth" statement, Durnford 2210-26, 2299-306, 2314–20, p. 171-Consignments of goods to, while surplus stock being disposed of, possible justification, Durnford 2179 --Draft engaged for service in, and kept waiting in London for some months, "Truth" statement, explanation of circumstances, Durnford 2226-40, 2321-2- -Draft sent home from, left at Kantara for some months, drawing wages for no work, Waller 594-603Free drinks, Waller 755-61-Herrings, refusal of reasonable price for, by canteen officials, Waller 666-71- -Managers, making of profit by, on exchange, Waller 531-45, 629-31, 672-8-Margarine, refusal of reasonable price for, by canteen officials, Waller 525-30, 665-71, 789-95-Minute by N.A.C.B. re App. 10- -Motor lorries, theft of spare parts, Waller 728-36, comments on "Truth" statement, Durnford 2179--Officers in charge, criticism, Waller 474-92, 608-17--Reinstatement of man convicted at Court Martial and imprisoned for four months, Waller 766-75Sergeant in charge, remittance home of large sums of money, and shortages in stocks of, Waller 618-37-Shipment of large consignment of prepared oats to and from, "Truth" statement, truth doubted, Durnford 2179-Staff, difficulties, 1919, 1920, Durnford 2179- -Stores sent to canteens, duplicate and triplicate crediting of, Waller 718-23, 803.

Cook, Son & Co., Messrs.-Sale to, through Mr. Pollock and Mr. Stanley, Report p. 31; Rae Smith, Fisher 1704-9; Van den Bergh 2533-4; App. 11 (137-9).

D.

DAVIES, JOHN WARD 1239-1369.

France, Canteens, false returns 1272-4, loss of goods in transit 1239-78, 1294-317, 1323-69--Modane, retention of trucks at, and charge of £350 for demurrage, 1278-93, 1317-22.

Deloitte