HC Deb 24 February 1910 vol 14 cc346-7
Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSON

asked what is the value of stores voted in the Navy Estimates, 1909–10, withdrawn without replacement during the present financial year?

Mr. McKENNA

I can only reply to the hon. Member, though I do not very well know what he means, that none of the stores voted in this year's Estimates have been withdrawn without replacement.

Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSON

May I ask whether during the last financial year stores have been withdrawn which have not been replaced?

Mr. McKENNA

May I ask the hon. Gentleman's attention to the meaning in the Estimates. He will then see that it would be impossible to withdraw stores in the proper sense of the term without replacing them.

Mr. MEYSEY - THOMPSON

asked whether the stores of the amount of £2,319,002, withdrawn without replacement during 1906–8, have been replaced; and, if so, to what amount?

Mr. McKENNA

I am unable to understand the meaning of the hon. Gentleman's question, as stores withdrawn without replacement obviously could not have been replaced. Such stores as have been withdrawn without replacement have been withdrawn in execution of a policy laid down in 1905, which has not since been varied.

Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSON

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to answer the second part of the question?

Mr. McKENNA

The hon. Gentleman asks me what amount of stores have been withdrawn without replacement? It is obvious that any stores withdrawn without replacement cannot have been replaced.

Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSON

What is the actual deficiency?

Mr. McKENNA

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to be good enough to put a question on the Paper.

Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSON

Are ordnance stores included?

Mr. McKENNA

Yes, stores of all kinds were withdrawn. According to the policy laid down in 1905, stores of all kinds were to be withdrawn without replacement where the stores were considered redundant.