HC Deb 02 June 1965 vol 713 cc1699-700
11. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in connection with the disposal of Government surplus goods by public auction since 1st January, 1946, when it was decided that the usual practice of giving the individual prices realised when requested should be altered; and, since this information is available to all at the public auctions, if he will state the reasons for this change of policy.

Mr. Mulley

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answers my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State gave him on 5th April. Whereas those who get prices at an auction can see the condition and value of the goods being sold, it could be misleading to give prices without a sight of the goods.

Mr. Dodds

That is not the point. Is my right hon. Friend aware—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—that the Answers to the Question on the date he mentioned were misleading and that for years when I have asked for the prices to be given they have been given? Is it not accurate to say that this is the policy that was followed before and that the policy of not giving them has been initiated by this Administration? What is the sense of withholding from the House information as to the prices obtained when all the dealers and the public at the auctions know the prices? I urge my right hon. Friend to give this information when it is sought, just as it has been given since 1946, or otherwise to explain why there has been a change of policy.

Mr. Mulley

I understand that it was never the practice for the War Office to issue these prices as a regular course. My hon. Friend has from time to time been given prices and I have told him and other hon. Members that we will always give them these figures. However, wide publicity of the prices realised for various lots without anyone being able to assess the condition of the goods concerned would not be commercially justifiable and, I believe, would mislead the public.

Mr. Dodds

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of my right hon. Friend's Answer, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment. After all, the Tories did it. Why cannot we?