§ Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Supply to what extent the scheme arranged with the paint industry for disposal of Government surplus paints and varnishes is being operated; and what is the reason for delay.
§ Mr. WilmotThe original scheme proved too slow in operation. Instead of first sorting the paint into categories and offering it initially only to firms in the paint industry, we are offering it, as it is, to the Ministry of Works for the housing programme, and the remainder for sale by competitive tendering to a wider 113W field of trade firms including builders' merchants and contractors. The sale of small quantities is made by our regional offices, and quantities that arise in mixed accumulations of surplus stores, which it is essential to clear quickly by public auction sale, are included in the auctions. It is still the policy to include the manufacturing and distributing firms of the paint industry in all invitations to tender for paint sold by competitive tender.