HC Deb 14 May 1956 vol 552 cc1650-1
44 and 47. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Minister of Supply (1) what percentage of the 47 tons of rivets offered for sale by his Department on 13th April were unused;

(2) what percentage of the 118 tons of nails offered for sale by his Department on Friday, 13th April, were unused.

The Minister of Supply (Mr. Reginald Maudling)

All the rivets and nails were unused, but they were rusty and mixed in sizes.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Could my right hon. Friend say how nails which have been properly stored become rusty and useless? Alternatively, can we be quite sure that no further nail or rivet purchases will be made for that reason?

Mr. Maudling

These rivets and nails have been in store for a very long time, often for ten years and more. Certainly no new rivets or nails will be purchased for the purpose for which these could be used.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that if a nail is properly stored it can last ten, twenty or thirty years? It is not good enough to say it has gone rusty after ten years.

Mr. Dodds

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain that unless some of these things are sold there is no room for bringing in new supplies?

46. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Minister of Supply the cost to Her Majesty's Government of the 2,261 packages of watch parts offered for sale by his Department on 20th March; and what was the total price realised for these packages.

Mr. Maudling

One thousand, seven hundred and sixty-one packages of pocket watch spares were offered. One thousand, four hundred and sixty-one packages were sold for £770. These spares were bought over ten years ago and it is not practicable at this length of time to trace the original cost.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Is my right hon. Friend quite satisfied that that story shows that the purchase and storage of these goods was done on an efficient basis?

Mr. Maudling

The purchase of most of these items took place before the Ministry of Supply was created. The storage has been done as efficiently as limitations of manpower and expenditure permit.

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