Lieut.-Colonel CLAYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions how many dumps of British material still remain in France; how many officers and men are required to 1722W guard the dumps; and what is the weekly cost for maintaining this personnel?
Mr. HOPEThe total number of dumps, depôts and camps in France which are being guarded is 930, of which 333 depôts and dumps and 427 camps have been sold to, and are in process of being transferred to, the French Government. The total number of unsold dumps and depôts is therefore 170. There are 140 officers and 2,400 soldiers and civilian caretakers engaged in guarding these dumps, but this number will be still further reduced from time to time as military personnel is substituted by civilian caretakers. The approximate weekly cost of the present personnel engaged upon guarding duties is about £12,700.
Lieut.-Colonel CLAYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the Disposals Board readjust the prices of Government property still remaining in dumps in France owing to the deterioration due to exposure; and when it is expected that the work of the Disposals Board in France will be completed and the personnel demobilized?
Mr. HOPEIn determining the valuations to be placed upon surplus stores in France the condition of the materials at the time of sale is taken into consideration, the prices being based upon the current market prices of the day. It is not possible to say when the work of the Disposals Board in France will be completed, but every endeavour is being made to dispose of the remaining stocks in that country at the earliest possible date.