§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Surveyor General of the Ordnance, What was the date of the last general stocktaking at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich; whether there has been any stocktaking or "remain" of the stores in the Carriage Department within the 681 last ten years; and, if so, whether the result was compared with the "remain" as shown by the Carriage Department ledgers; whether it is the intention of the Government to direct any "remain" to be taken of the large accumulation of either obsolete or unserviceable stores now at the Royal Arsenal and Dockyard at Woolwich; and, whether there would be any objection to the furnishing of a Return of all the obsolete and unserviceable stores now in the Departments above referred to?
MR. BRANDThe date of the last general stocktaking at the Royal Arsenal was 1859. If the hon. Member refers to the Carriage Manufacturing Department, a yearly "remain" is taken and compared with the ledger. If, however, his Question has reference to the store of carriages, no "remain" has been taken since 1859. Last year the Secretary of State decided to take a general "remain" at Woolwich Arsenal, and this is now being proceeded with. There is a large quantity of obsolete and unserviceable stores at Woolwich, which are periodically sold by the Director of Contracts, and the produce of the sales is credited to Vote 12. It does not appear to the Secretary of State that any useful purpose would be served by giving a Return of these stores, which form a constantly shifting quantity. A Return, moreover, would involve considerable clerical labour.