§ 28. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for War to make a statement of his expenditure of £670,000 on carpets, stating, in particular, how much expenditure was incurred in Scotland and for what purposes.
§ Mr. HeadThis expenditure by Army Commands on carpets has been described in some detail in the Comptroller and Auditor-General's report on the Army Appropriation Account, 1951–52. Of the total, some £17,000 was spent in Scotland on the purchase of carpets, stair-carpets and underfelt for furnishing married quarters, messes, etc.
§ Mr. HughesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this seems a very large sum and shows no sign of economy being practised in the War Office? Can he give a really satisfactory reply to the comments of the Comptroller and Auditor-General on this matter?
§ Mr. HeadThe orders for these carpets were placed under the late Administration; I cannot take responsibility for that. But so far as the details are concerned, they will, of course, be gone through by the Accounts Committee subsequently and a full answer will no doubt be given.
§ Mr. NabarroIs my right hon. Friend aware that the serious feature of these transactions is the fact that the great bulk of the carpets were of foreign origin? In future would he please assure us that such carpets are bought in Kidderminster and in the other carpet manufacturing centres of the United Kingdom, and that the British Army supports the principle of "Buy British"?
§ Mr. HeadI am not aware that a large quantity of foreign carpets was purchased. I do not believe that to be true, but I will certainly look into it; and I realise that certain other types of carpets may be regarded as foreign in Kidderminster.