§ Mr. ALFRED DAVIES (Clitheroe) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty are placing big contracts for navy hose; if so, whether before giving out these contracts any inquiry was made as to whether the Disposal Board had any grey military hose capable of being dyed navy; and, if not, whether he will now make inquiry and take whatever steps are possible to prevent the purchase of unnecessary supplies?
§ Sir J. CRAIG: A purchase of navy socks was made in March last from the trade. At the same time an approximately equal quantity was taken over from the Disposal Board and dyed blue. This was the only quantity which the Disposal Board had available of the size required by the Admiralty.
§ Mr. T. GRIFFITHS asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the Disposal Board have about two million pairs of grey military hose at Earls Court or elsewhere; and, if so, whether this fact has been made known to the Admiralty?
§ Mr. HOPE: The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.