§ 22 and 23. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Postmaster-General (1) what was the book value of stores to be sold in the 1956–57 estimate; what was the amount received for those stores; and what methods were used for their disposal;
(2) what amount was realised from the sale of used, worn-out and obsolete stores in the last financial year; and what was the method of disposal.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonCash receipts from sales of stores in 1956–57 are estimated at £4| million, including £3,850,000 for used, worn-out and obsolete stores. At the time of sale these stores were carried in the Post Office books at their expected sale value. It would not be possible without undue labour to ascertain what was their book value at any particular stage before they were offered for sale. Apart from new stores sold at cost to other Government Departments, disposal is almost invariably by competitive tender.
§ Mr. AllaunWhat was the nature of the surplus engineering stores valued at £3½ million which were disposed of? Were the tenders advertised, and, if so, to whom?
§ Mr. ThompsonThe stores referred to in the total of £3,850,000 are worn out, obsolete and out-of-date stores, as described in my Answer. The assemblies were advertised as publicly as possible in the areas in which they were to be offered and elsewhere, and the competitive tenders submitted were then considered before acceptance.