HC Deb 26 November 1925 vol 188 cc1616-7W
Mr. GILLETT

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the rental value of War Department buildings at present unoccupied?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

The figures for the year 1924–25, corresponding to those on page 101 of the Army Account for 1923–24, are:

£
Rented buildings … 8,000
War Department buildings … 399,000

Sir F. SYKES

asked the Secretary of State for War the equipment of foreign origin or manufacture, with their quantities and values, under orders outstanding on 1st November, 1924, and under orders placed subsequently for the War Office; and if he will also state in respect of each such orders the circumstances which necessitated foreign sources of supply?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON - EVANS

Effective preference is given to British products in contracts placed by this Department, and only in exceptional cases are orders placed with foreign manufacturers. Such orders are largely for specialities which cannot be obtained in this country, and in many cases are for articles of an experimental or secret character, and it would be undesirable to give particulars of each order. I may, however, say that on the 1st November, 1924, orders for foreign equipment of a total value of £2,860 were outstanding, and that since that date further foreign orders placed, excluding purchases of non-ferrous ingot metals not obtainable in this country, represent approximately one-third of 1 per cent. only of the total purchases of the War Department.

Mr. MONTAGUE

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the policy of the; Department, in regard to giving preference to ex-service clerks in retention of employment, is carrid out abroad; and, if so, why a disabled ex-service clerk has received notice of dismissal from the staff of the Inter-Allied Commission of Control, and why girls of foreign nationality are retained on that staff?

Captain KING

The general policy of the War Office in regard to civilian clerical posts at Army establishments, both at home and abroad, is to afford the fullest possible measure of employment to men who have served with His Majesty's Forces. As regards the second part of the question, I am having inquiries made respecting the case of the clerk referred to, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.