§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether Government Departments are being supplied by His Majesty's Stationery Office with pencils of poor quality made in Japan; and whether he will give instructions that in future purchases shall be made from British manufacturers?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINSupplies of lead pencils made in Japan were, as a War measure, purchased by the Stationery Office at a time when the general supply of pencils in England was quite inadequate to meet the exceptional demands of Government Departments. Surplus stocks of these Japanese lead 81W pencils are still being utilised. No pencils, other than those of British manufacture, have been purchased since the cessation of hostilities.