HC Deb 17 February 1893 vol 8 cc1702-3
MR. HANBURY

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to advertisements by a firm of contractors at Downham Market, offering "nearly 4,000 spades anti shovels, Army goods never been used," at very low prices; and whether the facts stated in the advertisement are false; and, if not, how it happens that Army goods, "which have never been used," are thus sold to contractors?

MR. WOODALL

The spades in question were supposed to be of an obsolete pattern. I am, however, not altogether satisfied with the Report I have received, and am consequently having an exhaustive inquiry made into the whole transaction.