§ 16. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is the total amount of money spent, respectively, on completed and uncompleted locomotives at Woolwich; when the 50 completed locomotives were handed over to the Disposal Board for sale; what prospects are there of such sale; whether railway companies at home and abroad have been notified; and what is to happen to the 50 locomotives which are 70 per cent, completed?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Baldwin)I have been asked to reply. With regard to the first part of the question, I am advised that the 50 completed locomotives have involved an expenditure of £780,000 and the 50 uncompleted, £551,000. The date on which they were reported as available to the Disposal Board for sale is 6th September, 1921. The prospects of sale at present are not good. The answer to the fourth part of the question is in the affirmative. It is not intended to complete the remaining 50 locomotives and the parts will be sold as they lie.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. NORTON-GRIFFITHSDo we understand that the 50 completed have not yet been sold?
§ Captain Viscount CURZONCan the right hon. Gentleman give any idea why it is impossible to sell these locomotives? Is there any cardinal defect in the Design?
§ Mr. BALDWINI should be only too glad if the Noble Lord could sell them for us. There is not a very good market at present.