HC Deb 16 April 1956 vol 551 cc663-4
17. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Supply, in view of the fact that the Board of Trade Journal does not give the full information of Government surplus stock offered at each public auction, if he will now arrange, for the information of Members, to place copies of his Department's catalogues for all forthcoming sales in the House of Commons Library.

The Minister of Supply (Mr. Reginald Maudling)

Yes, Sir.

20. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Supply what complaints he has received from the public in respect of the disposal of Government surplus stocks; and what action he proposes to take to deal with them.

Mr. Maudling

I have myself received no complaints from members of the public direct, but hon. Members have been good enough to refer to me a few letters from their constituents, which have generally been based on Press reports of sales and to which I have replied.

Mr. Dodds

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware of the letters which have been sent to his Department making serious allegations against some of his officials? If he has received those letters, will he not take legal action to clear their names? If he has not received the letters, will he accept copies of them from me?

Mr. Maudling

I should be glad at any time to receive copies of correspondence from the hon. Gentleman. The Question asks about complaints in respect of the disposal of Government surplus stocks. I have not received any complaints from the general public.

21. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Supply, in regard to the Press statement issued from his Department on 23rd January, 1956, concerning the disposal of surplus war materials, if he will give the date from which his Department has refused to have any dealings with the person referred to in the last paragraph of the statement.

Mr. Maudling

August, 1941.

Mr. Dodds

Is the right hon. Gentleman not surprised to find, when we are referring to a person whom we both know as Mr. X, that I have here a contract offered by his Department to Mr. X on 10th March, 1953? How does he explain the reference to 1941 when this was an offer of a contract in 1953?

Mr. Maudling

I am not the least surprised. That offer was made by one of the contract officers of my Department who did not take the precaution of referring to the black list before he did so.

Mr. Dodds

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall attempt to raise the subject on the Adjournment.