§ Mr. Hollisasked the Secretary of State for War whether priority will be given to ex-Servicemen in the disposal of surplus Army stores, furniture, etc.
§ Mr. Belcher:I have been asked to reply. I regret that it is not practicable to make special arrangements for the direct sale of Government surplus stores, including furniture, to individuals.
Captain Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Supply (1) what types of surplus Government stores have been, or are to be, sold by auction; what is the total value of such stores; and what are the receipts to date from these sales;
(2) what are the factors which determine whether surplus Government stores are sold by auction or disposed of in other ways.
§ Mr. Woodburn:At present only vehicle, are to be sold by auction. No sales have yet been held and I am afraid it is not possible to estimate in advance what these sales will realise. Government surplus stores are normally sold by competitive tender or through a scheme negotiated with. the industry or trade concerned. Sales by auction will only be used in special cases to supplement these methods, so that the goods may reach the user as quickly as possible.