83. Lieutenant-Colonel MALONEasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry the names of the firms of contractors from whom linen was purchased during the War; the price per yard at which it was purchased; and what arrangements are being made for its disposal?
§ The DEPUTY-MINISTER for MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)I have been asked to answer this question. Linen was purchased from 137 contractors, whose names I shall be glad to send to my hon. and gallant Friend if he should desire me to do so. The price per yard varied with the price of flax. At the time of the Armistice the price ranged from Is. 8d. for spaced fabric to 3s. 0¾d. for solid fabrics. A considerable quantity of linen is being disposed of in this country in small lots by public tender after advertisement, and arrangements are being made for meeting the demands in foreign markets.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHHow many millions of yards of linen are now being treated as scrapped by the authorities?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYNone of it is being treated as scrapped.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHHow many millions of yards were over-ordered?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe probable surplus is something like forty million yards.
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI cannot give the figures off-hand, but the contractors-offered a shilling a yard.