§ 42. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will extend the Departmental inquiries into the sale of Government surplus stores decided upon last week, to the sale by his Department of 297,000 gallons of castor oil.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftDuring the past six months some castor oil from the strategic reserve has been sold by public tender. These sales are quite distinct from the disposal of surplus Government stores and have been made in the normal course of managing the stock of this commodity, which deteriorates if kept for too long.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonWill the President say what moved the Government to keep such a lot of oil as this? Will he also say how much this lot cost, and how much it has been sold for, and what the poor taxpayer has lost as a result?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThere are strategic considerations for keeping this stock which I would prefer not to reveal. As to the value of this particular stock perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put down a Question.
§ Mr. DraysonCan the Minister say whether the sale of this stock represents the final purge of his Department?
§ Mr. Gordon WalkerCan the President say what is the strategic purpose of castor oil?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIt is not customary to reveal the strategic purpose of this stock.