STATIONERY OFFICE (TYPEWRITERS AND CALCULATING MACHINES).

HC Deb 12 May 1936 vol 312 c201

47. Mr. DAY

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of typewriters and calculating machines that have been purchased by the Stationery Office for the two years ended at the last convenient date?

Commander SOUTHBY (Lord of the Treasury)

I have been asked to reply. The Stationery Office purchased 2,129 typewriters and 250 adding and calculating machines in the year ended 31st March, 1935, and 2,556 typewriters and 369 adding and calculating machines in the year ended 31st March, 1936.

Mr. DAY

Is it not a fact that most of them are of foreign manufacture?

Commander SOUTHBY

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.

Mr. DAY

Are we to understand that it is impossible to obtain typewriters of British make that are useful for his office?

Commander SOUTHBY

No, Sir, the hon. Gentleman is not to understand anything of the sort.

Mr. LYONS

Is it not a fact that every typewriter bought during that period has been British made?