§ 98. Briģadier Lowasked the Secretary of State for War the quantity and value of British tanks, guns, weapons and vehicles now lying unused and surplus to the requirements of the British Army in Europe; how much of such surplus war material is obsolete; and what is the policy in regard to the disposal or maintenance of the remainder.
§ Mr. Lawson:As regards the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply on 4th April. As soon as overseas theatres are informed that certain types of equipment may be regarded as obsolete they are empowered to hand over to the Ministry of Supply for disposal all their stocks of such equipment. This process is going on continuously and without making detailed inquiries overseas it is not possible to say how much surplus equipment is of an obsolete pattern. Other equipment surplus to War Office requirements is also handed over to the Ministry of Supply for disposal. It is not our policy to carry out maintenance on any equipments which are or are likely to be declared to the Ministry of Supply for disposal.