§ Mr. HOHLERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many yards of cloth (various), how many pairs of boots, how much hosiery, tanned leather, hardware, crockery, glass, and how many brushes and brooms are held by his Department in excess of the quantities held on the 1st August, 1914; and will he give particulars of the amount of the above articles disposed of, other than for service purposes, from the 1st of April last?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs regards cloth materials, boots, hosiery, hardware, crockery, and glass, particulars of the stocks held on 1st August, 1914, could not be obtained at this date without the expenditure of much time and labour; but it may be taken, speaking generally, that the present slocks are not in excess of requirements; on the contrary, in several instances, notably blue cloth, navy pattern boots, shoes, socks, and stockings they are very low, being not more than sufficient to meet expenditure during the next two or three months. In those in stances where the termination of the War left excessive stocks in the hands of the Department, the surplus quantities have been declared to the Disposal Board. These include the following:—
*Woollen Comforters 150,000 No. *Woollen Gloves 120,000 prs. *Woollen Mittens 70,000 prs *Balaclava Helmets 70,000 No. *Woollen Drawers 80,000 prs. *Cardigans 30,000 No. Rubber Boots 20,000 prs. Leather Hoots (Shore Service) 30,000 prs. The articles marked formed part of the free issue of warm clothing specially authorised in winter for the Fleet in Northern Waters during the continuation of the War. With regard to tanned leather, brushes, and brooms, the quantities held at the present time are not in excess of those held on 1st August, 1914. None of these articles have been disposed of other than for Service purposes since 1st April last.