§ Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Secretary of State for War how much barbed wire in tons and miles is still held by his Department or by disposal hoards in each of the various dumps throughout the country; whether he is aware that much of this has been held since 1941 and is already seriously deteriorated; that this commodity is urgently needed by farmers, allotment holders and others; and whether he will take immediate steps to secure its release for general use.
§ Mr. BellengerThe following are the particulars:
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TABLE II. Column E. Column F. Description. Awaiting clearance by Ministry of Supply from Depots. Locations. Stocks in Depot by Location Location. Tons. Miles. Tons. Miles. Barbed Wire 104 824 Ashford, Kent 1,000 6,000 Nesscliffe 480 2,780 Horley, Surrey 3,093 18.558 Purfleet 200 1,100 Bartlow, Cambridge 47 282 Catterick 150 900 Gamblingay, Beds. 3 18 Donnington 934 5,604 4,143 24,858 Concertina Wire 111 55½ Missen, Near Bawtry 7,070 3,540 Purfleet 975 487½ Duddington, Near Edinburgh. 889 444½ Nesscliffe 218 109 Wormwood Scrubs — — — 25 12½ Parkhurst 115 57½ Queensferry 1,280 640 Horley 8,074 4,042 120 60 Dicker Mill — — — 425 212½ Tunbridge Wells — — — 214 107 Hothfield, Ashford — — — 105 52½ Darland — — — 158 79 Shottisham — — — 62 31½ Halesworth — — — 280 140 Woolwich — — — 324 162 Gamblingay — — — 1,440 720 Bartlow — — — 700 350 Northern Ireland — — — 3,517 1,755 Margaretting — — — 10,444 5,220 Nesscliffe — — — 20,398 10,194
TABLE III. Stocks held by Iron and Steel Disposals, Ltd., at 31st January, 1947. Description. Amount. Location. Barbed Wire: Tons. Black … … … … 130 Southall 386 Tring 5 Wallsend Total … … … … 521 Barbed Wire: Galvanised … … … … 903 Southall 224 Brentford 70 Tring 83 Keighley 80 (estimated) Middlesbrough 99 Tyne Dock Total … … … … 1,459 I am aware that some of this wire has deteriorated and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and I would be only too glad if any potential purchasers of wire in the dumps get into touch with Iron and Steel Disposals Limited, 7, Park Lane, W.1.