§ 116. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Supply whether in view of the large stocks of barbed concertina wire, amounting to 45,000 miles, still held by the War Office and which are rapidly deteriorating, he will consider offering this to farmers and allotment holders in small 166W quantities, free of cost, in view of the relatively heavy expenses of handling and transport.
§ Mr. LeonardI understand that the War Office are retaining for maintenance and reserve 28,000 miles of barbed and concertina wire. Of the remainder, the Ministry of Supply has sold for remelting 10,000 miles of concertina wire, which is unsuitable for agricultural purposes, and is at present consulting the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the best method of disposing of some or the whole of the 7,000 miles of galvanised and black barbed wire to farmers.