§ Sir W. Darlingasked the Minister of Supply why no Edinburgh auctioneer has been selected to conduct the auction sales 391W in Edinburgh in connection with the disposal of 2,000 motor cars and commercial vehicles.
§ Mr. WoodburnRecommendations were sought from the two professional bodies in Scotland who had been invited to nominate auctioneers. Nominations were made by the Glasgow and South-West Scotland Association of Auctioneers on 26th March and by the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland on 1st April. I have re-examined the circumstances surrounding this appointment and find that the reply of the latter body, which nominated Edinburgh auctioneers, had, unfortunately, been temporarily mislaid, with the result that only the Glasgow auctioneers appeared as being recommended by the Auctioneers' Associations, and the choice had already been made before the mistake was discovered. I should like to express regret for the incident which implies no reflection on Edinburgh auctioneers.