§ Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for Air the amount and value of the discrepancies found as a result of the stocktaking of heavy stocks of tentage, hangars, etc., at No. 3 Stores Depot, Milton; and what action has been taken, in view of such stocktaking being three years overdue?
§ Sir S. HOARE:As regards the first part of the question, the value of the deficiencies and surpluses found as a result of the stocktaking referred to was £10 8s. 8d. and £4,587 11s. 10d. respectively; to state the amounts of the various discrepancies would involve reproduction of many pages of the ledgers. As regards the second part, the stocks of tentage, hangars, etc., held at the depot consisted mainly of component parts, which were returned from theatres of war and from home aerodromes dismantled after the Armistice. The work of detailed verification, survey, re-conditioning and re-arrangement could only have been completed within a shorter period if extra staff had been specially engaged. It was, therefore, considered preferable to spread the stocktaking over some years and to utilise the services of the ordinary staff of the depot. No risk of misappropriation arose, in view of the weight and bulk of the stock. In the circumstances, I con- 2040W sider that the most economical course was adopted, and do not think that any action is necessary.