HC Deb 27 June 1928 vol 219 cc510-1
13. Mr. RAMSDEN

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the value of any foreign goods purchased during the last financial year by or on behalf of hit Department; and what percentage this bears to the total purchases?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

If my hon. Friend will allow me, I will quote the amount for the calendar year 1927 which is more readily ascertainable. This is approximately £205,000 (excluding Petroleum Products), being a little over 1 per cent. of the total purchases.

27. Mr. RAMSDEN

asked the Secretary of State for Air the value of any foreign goods purchased during the last financial year by or on behalf of his Department; and what percentage this bears to the total purchases?

The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare)

Exclusive of petrol and oil, which are almost entirely of foreign origin, the total value of Air Ministry headquarter contracts for foreign goods in the financial year 1927–28 was approximately £54,000, or 0.8 per cent. of the total. Similar information is not available in regard to purchases made by other Government Departments on behalf of the Air Ministry, and could not be obtained in regard to local purchases at Air Force stations at home and abroad without considerable correspondence and labour.

29. Mr. RAMSDEN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works the value of any foreign goods purchased during the last financial year for or on behalf of that Department; and what percentage this bears to the whole?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Lieut.-Colonel Sir Vivian Henderson)

Approximately £18,000 was spent on foreign goods, representing less than 1 per cent. of the total expenditure by the Office of Works.

Mr. W. THORNE

May I ask the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the questions which are being put to various Departments on this subject, he can see his way to publishing a Paper giving the amounts of the foreign purchases in the case of all Departments?

Sir V. HENDERSON

Perhaps the hon. Member had better put down a question with regard to that matter.

Mr. DAY

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say what was the nature of these purchases?

Sir V. HENDERSON

I could not give details without notice.

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