Mr. DOYLEasked the Chancellor of of Exchequer how many munition factories and similar works, owned and controlled by the Government, are still undisposed of; how many people are employed and how much money is annually spent in the upkeep of such places; what steps are taken to dispose of such places in the open market; how many have been disposed of by private treaty; and how much has been realised thereby during the last 12 months?
Mr. YOUNGThere are 63 properties which are still undisposed of, and which were at one time used as munitions factories and similar works. Thirty-four of these are now used as storehouses for surplus Government stores. The remainder are, pending sale, looked after by caretakers. The total number of people employed at these places is approximately 2,200, and of these about 1,500 are engaged on the care and 1807W handling of surplus stores. The remaining staff is in the main engaged on the demolition of danger buildings and in cleaning, etc., poison gas factories and other buildings in which explosives were made. Apart from the expenses incurred on the care, etc., of surplus stores, the total amount spent annually on these premises is at present approximately £100,000, but this will largely decrease in the future. All factories available for disposal are widely advertised in the London and provincial Press and in appropriate trade journals, and in cases where there is likely to be competition for the purchase of a property, the possibility of sale by auction is always taken into account. The total number of factories and similar works which have been disposed of by private treaty since the inception of the Disposal Board is 525. Of these, 93 have been sold during the 12 months ending 31st January, 1922, the total figure realised by the sales during that period being £2,921,549 4s. 9d.
§ Mr. MANVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that military transport motor vehicles in Ireland, to the number of about 2,000, have recently been declared surplus and disposed of to a firm of the name of Bennett and Company without reference to the manufacturers of the vehicles in question; whether these vehicles come under the terms of the contract with the Slough Trading Company, whereby all vehicles declared surplus up to April next become their property, and, if not, does he know if Messrs. Bennett and Company are connected with the Slough Trading Company?
Mr. YOUNGI have been asked to answer this question. Motor transport vehicles to the number of about 470 have been passed to the Disposal Board as surplus to military requirements in Ireland, and all these vehicles have been handed over by the Disposal Board to the Slough Trading Company in accordance with the provisions of their contract dated 7th April, 1920.