§ Mr. KELLYasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether Major Shaw took the stock at Jamaica in 1925, and was such stock verified by Major Shaw as correct; and was this Report signed by Captain Coleman as correct;
(2) who reported the deficiency in the stocks in store at Jamaica; and when such Report was made;
(3) the date when stock was taken at the stores at Jamaica and declared to be correct; and was such Report endorsed by Captain Coleman as officer in charge?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSAs stated in my reply to the hon. Member's question on 12th March, the stock of boots was taken on 31st August, 1925. The officer responsible was the Ordnance Officer at Jamaica who has stated that the stocks were then correct; no signature or endorsement of stocktaking reports by officers superior to the officer who takes the stock is required by the Regulations. The officer who subsequently held the position of Deputy Assistant Director of Ordnance Stores of the Command, was not serving there on 31st August, 1925. According to the information at the War Office, the deficiency in stocks which was discovered apparently by a storeman in December, 1927, was reported by the foreman in January, 1928, to the Deputy Assistant Director of Ordnance Stores and the Ordnance Officer.