§ Mr. GROVESasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of typewriters used at the Central Record Office, Ruislip, and the proportion which are of foreign manufacture, and the age of such typewriters?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe number of typewriters in use at the Record Office, Ruislip, is 138, of which 92 are used for instructional purposes. Approximately 95 per cent. of these machines are of foreign manufacture, and their average age is 13 years and 10 months. These machines were purchased during the War when British machines were not obtainable. I understand that the present policy of the Stationery Office, who supply and maintain the typewriters used by the Air Ministry, is to purchase only British machines, except in the few cases where a special type of machine is required which is not made in this country.