HC Deb 29 January 1951 vol 483 cc547-50
3. Mr. Gammans

asked the Minister of Supply why surplus Government stores of Service clothing, ground-sheets, blankets, hydraulic jacks and other similar materials continue to be sold by auction by his Department at a time when we are rearming.

6. Commander Noble

asked the Minister of Supply what persons are admitted to his sales of surplus equipment, etc.; and what steps he is taking to ensure that no equipment for which there may be an urgent requirement is disposed of.

8. and 14. Mr. Molson

asked the Minister of Supply (1) whether he will make a statement regarding the sale at Woolwich Arsenal, on or about 4th January, of surplus Army supplies; whether he is satisfied that no use could be made of the blankets, overcoats and Auxiliary Territorial Services' clothing sold; and why the general public and the Press were excluded;

(2) his policy with regard to the sale of surplus Government stores; and whether any modification of the policy has resulted from the proposals of the Government to rearm.

13. Sir John Mellor

asked the Minister of Supply why dealers only were admitted to, and the Press excluded from, his sale by auction at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, on 5th January; and why Army clothing and blankets in serviceable condition were offered for sale.

15. Mr. Hugh Fraser

asked the Minister of Supply why the public Press were refused entry to a sale of surplus military stores held by his officials at Woolwich on 5th January, 1951.

30. Brigadier Rayner

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent Government stores likely to be of use to the Armed Forces or to Civil Defence are still being sold by auction.

42. Mr. Remnant

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in the light of the international situation, he will arrange for a review, before sale, of Service equipment and stores now declared surplus.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

It is fully recognised that it is at present more necessary than ever to be sure that the Services are unlikely to have any further use for the stores they declare surplus. I am authorised by my right hon. Friends in charge of the Service Departments, for whom my Department acts as selling agent, to say that they are fully satisfied about the care exercised in this matter in their respective Departments. Before declaring stores for sale by my Ministry, the Service Departments take account of all defence requirements, including those of our Allies. Moreover, there are arrangements under which all goods no longer required by one Service Department are offered to the other two before they are declared surplus and any goods that seem likely to be useful for Civil Defence are brought to the notice of the Departments concerned.

It should be borne in mind that broad descriptions of stores offered for sale do not indicate their condition. Surpluses are usually unserviceable for one reason or another. Where they appear to be in good condition the decision to declare them surplus will have been taken only after the Service Departments have satisfied themselves that they would not be required for issue if retained.

Neither the Press nor the public were excluded from a recent sale at Woolwich Arsenal. In accordance with our rule, any intending buyer is admitted to our auctions on production of a catalogue subject to such security precautions as may be necessary. Members of the Press are given passes and at least one was present at this sale. I regret that difficulties arose at the Woolwich auction referred to in the Questions because of an exceptional demand for catalogues at the last moment. Temporary passes were issued on application by prospective buyers at the factory gate.

Mr. Gammans

Is the Minister aware that whatever he and the Service Departments may say to the contrary, the fact is that a lot of surplus equipment which could be used again is being sold? The best proof of that is that things like ground sheets and military boots are being sold in shops all over the country at many times the price originally paid for them at the auction.

Mr. Strauss

As I have said, my right hon. Friends in charge of the Service Departments assure me that the greatest care is taken to ensure that nothing is declared surplus which is likely to be required by the Services.

Mr. Remnant

Does the Minister really expect the House to believe that none of the Service Departments has any use for blankets at present?

Mr. Strauss

Perhaps the hon. Member is not aware of the condition of the blankets when sold.

Sir J. Mellor

Will not the Minister agree that a number of persons were refused admission to the Woolwich auction?

Mr. Strauss

No, Sir. I am informed that that is not so. I understand that two Press representatives were refused admission when they tried to enter by the wrong gate; but if they had applied at the right gate they would have been allowed to go in.

Sir Peter Macdonald

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that before the last war the Service Chiefs assured the Minister and the House that surplus stores were not required, and yet we found, later, that the Territorial Army had no greatcoats and that many in the Services were short of supplies that had been sold? Will he make inquiries before any more sales of these materials take place?

Mr. Strauss

I was not responsible at the beginning of the last war. The most careful investigation is carried out by the only people who can decide the matter, and that is the Service Departments.

Brigadier Rayner

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at Launceston many hundreds of blankets were sold during the first week of January at 6s. each and fetched about £2 in the open market? Is that not some measure of the value of such blankets?

Mr. Strauss

If the hon. and gallant Member has in mind a particular item, he must put a Question down to the Service Department concerned.

16. Mr. H. Fraser

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that military greatcoats in first-class condition were sold by his officials at 27s. at Woolwich on 5th January; the estimated price of such greatcoats from the manufacturers in mid-1951; and whether there are at the moment sufficient coats in stock to meet any national or military emergency.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

We sold 500 khaki greatcoats which were unserviceable for further naval or other service and 900 A.T.S. greatcoats of obsolete pattern. The question of adequacy of stocks is for the Service Department concerned.

21. Mr. Hollis

asked the Minister of Supply how many auctions of war supplies are arranged by his Department for the coming month; and what supplies will be sold at them.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

We expect to hold 10 auctions in February—two for vehicles and eight for miscellaneous stores.

Mr. Hollis

May I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on having set an entirely unique precedent in the case of this Government of having given a definite answer to something? At the same time, may I ask him whether he will again make certain from the Service Departments that these supplies are no longer needed?

Mr. Strauss

I can assure the hon. Member that the usual very careful scrutiny will take place in the Services about these auctions.