Mr. SHIRLEY BENNasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will inform the House why 3,600 military greatcoats, partly worn, were advertised for public sale in Plymouth on Tuesday, 12th October; and whether these overcoats could have been advantageously used, with a view to economy, by some of our soldiers at home or abroad, or sent for the use of British prisoners in Germany?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe coats in question were unserviceable, and were sold locally owing to the failure of the contractor who purchases worn-out greatcoats to carry out his contract. Being unserviceable, they could not have been used as suggested by my hon. Friend.