§ Sir WATSON RUTHERFORDasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what is the total amount realised from the disposal of all kinds of materials and things from the Armistice to any date of the present month; what are the amounts expended in advertisements; what are the other expenses in connection with the storage, upkeep, and sale, including administration and labour; and if the results show any surplus to the good after paying all such expenses, will he state what surplus, and what proportion it boars to the prices reaised?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe total sum realised for the sale of surplus stores and property from the date of the Armistice to 1st November, as far as figures have come to hand, is approximately £111,000,000. In addition to this, £102,000,000 have been received during the same period in respect of sales of raw materials dealt with on trading accounts. The approximate cost of advertising is at present about £5,000 a week. The storage, custody, and handling of surplus stores from the date of the Armistice has been undertaken by the Departments to which the stores belong. I regret that it is not possible to give an estimate of the expense involved, but my hon. Friend may feel assured that the sums realised for sales very largely exceed the expense involved.