Major DAVIESasked the Secretary to the Treasury what proportion of the paper supplies in this country is at pre sent being used by the Government Departments; and whether he will pre sent a comparative statement to the House, showing the total consumption of paper by the Government Departments year by year during the last four years?
§ Mr. BALDWINExact figures of the quantity of paper and board being used by Government Departments are not available, but it is estimated that about one-third of the supplies of this material in the country is used directly or in directly for Government purposes, a very large proportion being utilised in the manufacture of munitions, etc., and for J the Army in the field. The approximate1244W consumption of paper in the form of stationery by Government Departments during each of the last four years has been as follows:
1914–15 … … 19,700 tons 1915–16 … … 31,000 " 1916–17 … … 41,500 " 1917–18 … … 55,000 "