§ 17. Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Supply what was the nature of the textiles ordered to meet Service requirements and for which he needed a Supplementary Vote of £2,750,000; when these textiles were ordered; and to what purpose they are now to be put.
§ Mr. W. J. TaylorThese textiles are mainly a residue of purchases made in the exceptional circumstances of the Korean re-armament, after consultation with the Service Departments concerned, to meet expected Service requirements. They consist mainly of cotton and woollen cloths, duck and canvas, narrow fabrics, and machine thread. The items are now surplus and are being offered for sale through the normal disposal machinery.
This sum in the Supplementary Vote does not represent fresh expenditure. It brings to account on the Ministry's Main Vote expenditure which has already taken place, and has been charged to the 10 Ministry's Votes for Purchasing (Repayment) Services in previous years.
§ Mr. BeswickDoes not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that it is a little late in the day to find that these were not needed? Could not some money have been saved if the contracts had been combed earlier on?
§ Mr. TaylorAs I have said, these purchases were made several years ago, and in the interim period there have been very much reduced requirements in the Services, with a consequent throwing up of these surpluses. As to our present policy, I can assure the hon. Member that we are trying to keep our demands exactly in line with what the Services will require.