§ 76. Mr. BRIANTasked the First Commissioner of Works what is the amount of outstanding contracts for office furniture for Government Departments; if any portion of surplus stock is being sold; and if, considering the large requirements of doors and other necessary articles for the erection of houses, arrangements can be made with the contractors for an alteration in the terms of the contracts so that further expenditure may be incurred for the production of articles actually required rather than for those of which there is an increasing surplus?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Sir Alfred Mond)Contracts for furniture to the value of about £370,000 were outstanding on the 1st instant, but a considerable portion of this amount is in respect of goods which are still in demand for use in Government Departments. Surplus stock is being disposed of to local government authorities, education authorities, and to the public generally. Contracts for £55,000 worth of goods can now be cancelled if orders for articles of equivalent value could be placed with the contractors, and this matter has already been brought to the notice of the Local Government Board and the Ministry of Munitions.
§ Mr. BRIANTDo I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that the Government at the same time is purchasing and selling office furniture?
§ Sir A. MONDIt is not all the same kind of furniture.