§ Major BIRCHALLasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken with regard to the future of the Didcot depot; and whether he is aware that quantities of stores at this depot are deteriorating owing to their continued exposure to all weathers?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI have been asked to answer this question, as the establishment at Didcot is a permanent Army Ordnance Depot. Practically all the stores in the open, including a large number of vehicles, are surplus to Army requirements; they have been handed over to the Disposal and Liquidation Commission and are in process of being disposed of, sales being held periodically. Those stores which have been sold are removed gradually by the purchasers. There are also, however, in the open a certain number of vehicles which are being retained for Army use. It has not yet been found practicable to provide cover for all of these, but it is hoped to do so at an early date. These vehicles receive constant attention to minimise the effects of exposure.