HC Deb 10 December 1958 vol 597 cc340-1
34. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the criticism by the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Committee of Public Accounts regarding the blunders which resulted in an unwanted surplus of 1,250,000 pairs of boots and 1,080,000 pairs of half-soles, what action is being taken against those in his Department responsible for this unsatisfactory state of affairs and the inevitable heavy loss of public money.

Mr. Soames

Both the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Public Accounts Committee have made it clear that most of this surplus was due, not to mistaken orders, but to a deliberate reduction in the level of reserve stocks. The surplus was, however, larger than it need have been because of the mistakes in administration commented on by the Committee. There has naturally been a careful inquiry in my Department into this matter. No negligence or misdemeanour has come to light which would call for disciplinary action.

Mr. Dodds

Having read the Report, I am surprised at what the right hon. Gentleman has said. How does he square what he said with this extract from the Report: Your Committee fail to understand why the War Office should have ordered in 1955, when there were no unusually pressing circumstances, a far greater quantity of boots and half-soles than was warranted. Is not that clear? Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is widespread concern that blunders can happen time after time in Government Departments and no one is ever penalised for them? Is rot he aware that Ministers—and he is one of the greatest offenders in respect of the War Office—come to the Box to whitewash obvious blunders? It is not to be wondered at that these things happen time and time again.

Mr. Soames

There is no question of trying to whitewash any blunders. I am endeavouring to put the matter in proportion. There are 1,250,000 surplus pairs of boots, which was about three pairs per man in the standing Army of the time. Of that number, 1,100,000 are being disposed of because of the changed policy of reserve holdings. The extra 150,000 were over-ordered.

Mr. Dodds

Will the Minister say why it is necessary to keep 9¼ years' stocks of boots? Will he answer that? How will he dispose of the boots?

Mr. Soames

They will be disposed of by the Ministry of Supply.