Lieut.-Commander Clark Hutchison102, 103 and 104. asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that a quantity of mild steel rods suitable for use in building standard huts for the school extension programme and for constructing steel houses is at present lying exposed to the elements in Messrs. Christie and Vesey's Yard at Grangemouth; and what steps he has taken to dispose of this material;
- (2) whether he is aware that a large quantity of valuable engineering stores suitable for building and other purposes it at present stored in Messrs. Christie and Vesey's Yard at Grangemouth; that this material is exposed to the weather and is deteriorating rapidly; and what steps he is taking to dispose of these stores;
- (3) what is the approximate value of the stores at present lying exposed to the elements in Messrs. Christie and Vesey's Yard, Grangemouth; and whether there have been any sales of materials from this dump to private firms within recent months.
§ Mr. Michael StewartThe site referred to is a depot for the storage and handling of War Department engineer stores. The value of the stores held there is approximately £2½ million, of which more than half is bridging of a kind which is not usually kept under cover. The stores include a quantity of steel rods, of which about four-fifths have been declared surplus to War Department requirements; the balance is required by the War Department and will be issued direct or transferred to a permanent depot when transport is available. The stores held at Grangemouth are at present being checked and I hope that this check will be completed by the end of this month. Stores not required for permanent retention by the War Deparment will then be declared24W surplus. Actual disposal of such surpluses is carried out by the Ministry of Supply and the Ministry of Works.