§ Mr. EVERARDasked the Secretary of State for War whether any serviceable accoutrements of a character likely to be needed on mobilisation have recently been sold or offered for sale from Army stocks; if so, the grounds upon which such sales or offers for sale have taken place; whether the oldest and most worn goods only have been sold and offered for sale; what prices, in relation to War Office vocabulary prices for serviceable articles, the War Office have realised or expressed a willingness to accept for such accoutrements; and whether, pend- 2162W ing further consideration on the subject, he can see his way to give instructions that such sales shall cease?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThere has recently been a sale of a small number of serviceable accoutrements, which on the latest review were found to be surplus to Army mobilisation requirements. It would be contrary to established practice to disclose the prices at which they were sold. I see no reason for discontinuing the disposal of such stores as are in excess of probable Army needs.
§ Mr. EVERARDasked the Secretary of State for War what principle is followed in disposing of stores surplus to the requirements of the Army; whether and by what means the public as a whole is accorded facilities for knowing what public property surplus to Army needs is available for sale and of making competitive offers to purchase such property; whether any sales, or negotiations for sales, upon conditions at variance with the approved principle have recently taken place; and, if so, upon whose authority, and upon what grounds such departures have been permitted?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIt is the general practice of the War Department to dispose of surplus stores by public auction or by competitive tender. The former sales are invariably advertised, and in the case of the latter invitations to tender are issued to firms or individuals on the Department's classified lists, which are extensive. Every year the fact that surplus stores are available 2163W for sale from time to time is widely advertised and applications are invited from anyone desirous of being noted for the purchase of surplus stores. In certain cases where it is considered that advantage would result, specific sales by tender are also advertised. In addition to these methods, individual inquiries are from time to time received for stores of Army pattern, and occasionally, after negotiation, sales ensue. As the surplus stores to be disposed of are frequently of a kind for which there is only a very limited or occasional market, this channel of disposal cannot be neglected, but when it is resorted to, care is taken as far as possible to ensure that the prices obtained are favourable to the public having regard to (1) cost price, and (2) price obtained for previous sales by competition for similar stores. I am not aware of any sales at variance with these approved principles having recently taken place.
§ Mr. EVERARDasked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that nearly 10 years have elapsed since the Armistice, final decisions have now been reached as to what Vote 8 stores held by or for the Army are surplus to present or prospective needs of the Army; if not, how soon it is expected that such final decisions will be reached; and what are the cir- 2164W cumstances that have caused delay, or are still causing delay, in reaching such decisions?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe stocks of Vote 8 (and other) stores are determined, not by final decision, but by periodical review of requirements, in the light of changes in the size, organisation and military obligations of the Army, and the stocks held at any time are those considered likely to be required to meet present or prospective needs.