§ 75. Brigadier-General CROFTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry 909 of Munitions whether motor lorries and other stores are being withheld from sale in spite of the fact that offers of purchase have been made approximating to the market value; and whether, owing to the unbusinesslike methods, prolonged delays, and. lack of cohesion between the controllers and the different Departments, customers are frequently compelled to purchase similar supplies from private firms, which firms in turn may have previously bought from the Disposal Board?
§ The DEPUTY-MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)No motor lorries or other stores, which are available for disposal, are being withheld from sale, neither is any offer refused which approximates to the market value of such stores. Supplies purchased from the Disposal Board are frequently placed upon the retail market. It is not desirable or practicable for the Disposal Board themselves to sell stores by retail.
§ Brigadier-General CROFTWill it be possible for the hon. Gentleman to arrange more frequent sales in every part of the country, instead of once a month, to get rid of supplies?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI think the sales are being held now as rapidly as the market is capable of absorbing supplies.
§ 76. Brigadier-General CROFTasked what is the total number of persons engaged under the Disposal Board; and what is the total cost of the Department?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe total number of persons employed under the Disposal Board, at home and abroad, is now 1,992, including a military establishment in France of 479 persons whose services are loaned to the Ministry by the War Office in connection with the work of disposals. The annual cost in salaries of this staff is, approximately, £557,000.
§ Brigadier-General CROFTCan the hon. Gentleman say how many members of this staff are in the position of controllers?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI cannot say offhand, but I will give the hon. and gallant Gentleman the information.
§ 77. Brigadier-General CROFTasked what is the total value of surplus stores disposed of during the last six months?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe total value of surplus stores disposed of during the six 910 months ended 31st October, so far as the figures have come to hand, is, approximately, £67,000,000.