§ Mr. Doddsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what quantity of paint his Department has purchased from Government surplus stocks offered by the Ministry of Supply or the War Department since 1st January, 1954; on what date orders were placed; and how many gallons of paint have been purchased by his Department during the same period from other than Government sources.
Mr. WardNo paint has been acquired by the Admiralty from surplus stocks held by the War Department or Ministry of Supply since 1st January, 1954. During this period 1,368,000 gallons of paint were bought from the trade. This excludes compositions and materials purchased for making up in the Royal Dockyards. War Department and Ministry of Supply paints would not be suitable for use on Her Majesty's ships.
§ Mr. Doddsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what action is taken in his Department on receiving notification by the Ministry of Supply of public auctions of Government surplus stocks; what is the extent of purchases made by his Department from these stocks since 1st January, 1954; and what was the date of the last order to be placed.
Mr. WardNotifications of Government surplus stocks sent by the Ministry of Supply are carefully scrutinised in the Admiralty. Purchases actually made since the 1st January, 1954, have amounted to less than £2,000. The date of the last order was 8th February, 1956.