§ 50. Sir H. CROFTasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the stock of foreign pencils purchased during the War and used by the Post Office has now been exhausted; and whether all pencils now used are of British manufacture?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Arthur Michael Samuel)All stocks of pencils are now of British manufacture with the exception of the stock of copying pencils of foreign make obtained during the War. This stock has not yet been exhausted.
§ Sir H. CROFTCan the hon. Member say how many years' stock were bought from the United States of America during the War?
§ Mr. SAMUELNo, Sir. I cannot without notice give that information, but I can say that the stock which still remains is only enough for a few months.
Mr. THOMASDoes the hon. Member realise the very serious effect that this question of lead pencils will have on national finance?
Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLDoes the hon. Member not realise that it is a question of the principle involved, 967 and does he think it advisable that any Department of State should buy enough articles such as pencils, as are likely to last 10, 15 or 20 years?