HC Deb 18 November 1919 vol 121 cc368-9
61. Mr. HOHLER

asked the Secretary of State for War how many yards of cloth (various) his Department still retains over and above the amount handed over to the Ministry of Munitions?

Mr. FORSTER

Seven million yards of cloth of various kinds are at present held in stock. As soon as the requirements of the Army, the Dominion Governments, and the Government of India are definitely ascertained, any further surplus will be reported for disposal.

Mr. HOHLER

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise how the Government are keeping up prices by retaining this cloth?

Mr. FORSTER

I am not satisfied about that last statement. The Disposal Board have disposed of an enormous quantity of cloth. I am not sure that the trade has been able to absorb it all.

Mr. HOHLER

The Disposal Board have only disposed of 500,000 yards out of 11,000,000, and the Army is holding it up.

Mr. FORSTER

No; we are not holding it up. Ten and a-quarter millions is the amount placed at the disposal of the Ministry of Munitions. If they have not bet' able to sell that quantity it does not seem to be a very sound proceeding to add to it.

Mr. HOHLER

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Army authorities have only recently handed it over?

Mr. FORSTER

I do not know what my hon. Friend means by recently. It has been handed over in the course of recent months. I think it is a perfectly sound policy that we should have definite information as to what our requirements are going to be before we part with further cloth unless, indeed, they have been able to dispose of what they have got.

62. Mr. HOHLER

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give particulars of the hosiery now held by his Department and of the amount, if any, which has been handed over to the Ministry of Munitions since the 1st of April last?

Mr. FORSTER

The quantities are as follow:

Present stock. Reported for disposal since 1st April, 1919.
Socks, worsted, pairs 11,242,700 2,500,600
Drawers, cotton " 714,487 210,587
Drawers, woollen " 2,553,400 Nil.
Caps, comforter 599,400 Nil.
Gloves, woollen, pairs 2,079,000 1,000,000
Vests, woollen 1,536,900 Nil.

It may be possible to report further quantities of certain items for disposal when the requirements of the Dominion Governments and of the Government of India have been ascertained.