§ 12. Mr. RAMSDENasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is the value and the number of yards of cloth damaged in the recent floods; what has been done with the cloth so damaged; and what is the maximum length of time the cloth has been in stock?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)491,000 yards of cloth of various kinds, approximately £120,000 in value, were damaged by the Thames flood. All the material, except 1,350 yards which were too badly damaged, has been reconditioned and rendered fit for issue. As regards the last part of the question, a small portion of the material, consisting of full dress cloth, was purchased in 1914.
§ Mr. RAMSDENCould my hon. Friend give some idea of the value of the cloth purchased prior to 1914 which is now in stock?
§ Mr. COOPERI could not, off-hand.
§ Mr. RAMSDENIf there is any considerable amount, could not my hon. Friend take some steps to have that cloth either made up after re-dyeing or sold?
§ Mr. COOPERAs I have told my hon. Friend, all of this cloth is fit for use except a very small portion of some 1,350 yards, which has already been disposed of. The whole of the remainder is now fit for use, and will be used.
§ 13. Mr. RAMSDENasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what length there is in stock of the uniform cloth formerly used by the 11th Hussars; the cost of this cloth; and the date when it was purchased?
§ Mr. COOPERThe stock of uniform cloth peculiar to the 11th Hussars is 2,039 yards, the cost of which was £1,132. The cloth was purchased in 1914.
§ Mr. RAMSDENDoes not my hon. Friend think that this cloth could either be dyed and made up for use, or sold?
§ Mr. COOPERThe cloth is perfectly fit for use now, and will, presumably, be used. I have no reason to suppose that it will not be found to be fit for use.
§ Mr. RAMSDENIs it not of a peculiar shade which cannot be used for the ordinary requirements of the Army?
§ Mr. COOPERIt can be used, at any rate, for bandsmen, and I believe it is intended to use it for that purpose.