§ 48. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Under Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that there has been great waste in the orders for posters from the Air Ministry during the past 10 years, there being as many as 93 per cent. of the order returned to the Stationery Office; and whether he will look into the matter and take steps to see that this waste does not occur again in the future?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEConsiderable numbers of recruiting posters were ordered for a special recruiting campaign in the years 1920–21, but since that date comparatively few have been ordered. Of those ordered 10 years ago a large proportion have, as the hon. and gallant Member suggests, become out of date and consequently been thrown up as waste. This has been due to changes in the volume and method of recruiting which could not have been foreseen at the date of the order. I am afraid that changes of policy, sound and desirable in themselves, and often decided on with the express object of achieving economy, must on occasions lead to some incidental waste, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the possibility of scrapping of material being entailed is always taken into account before new policy is adopted.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the hon. Gentleman looking carefully into this case and taking steps to see that this waste will not happen again?
§ Mr. MONTAGUECertainly.