§ Mr. SITCHasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether an offer recently submitted by the Corporation of Bradford for a quantity of suits and overcoats advertised by the Disposal Board for public tender has been declined; if so, will he state the reason for such refusal; if he can see his way to indicate the grounds upon which tenders are generally determined; and whether it is the considered policy of the Disposal Board to protect the interests of private traders or does it endeavour to secure a price for goods in excess of that at which they can be efficiently and speedily disposed of through public authorities without loss to the State?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYOffers were recently submitted by the Corporation of Bradford for a quantity of suits and overcoats, the first of which tenders (for 2,000 suits and 1,000 overcoats) was accepted. Two subsequent offers at lower prices were made by the Bradford Corporation and were declined as the prices quoted were too low and would have resulted in considerable loss to the public. As I have repeatedly stated, the policy of the Disposal Board is to dispose of surplus Government stores at the best market price, this being the only way in which the interests of the whole body of taxpayers can be safeguarded.