§ 93. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyreasked the Minister of Supply what machine tools have been offered for sale by his Ministry since 1st April, 1948; to whom such sales have been made; and what precautions he has taken to ensure that such sales are in the national interest.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussSince 1st April, 1948, 13,325 machine tools of all descriptions have been sold. It would not be possible without an undue expenditure of time and labour to give full details of the tools and buyers, but I give below the available information. No machine tool is sold if it is required as a reserve or for other Government purposes. Very few have been exported and the export 27W of tools specifically designed for munition making is controlled by the Export of Goods (Control) (Amendment No. 3) Order, 1948.
Following is the information
ANALYSIS OF SALES OF MACHINE TOOLS FROM 1ST APRIL TO 30TH SEPTEMBER, 1948. Following is a breakdown of the machines sold:— Government Departments 788 Allies 630 Trade 4,897 Export (Private Buyers) 91 Local authorities 74 Holding Contractors 5,044 Auction 1,801 Total 13,325 Exports (other than private traders)— Under financial agreement:— To the Polish Government— Normal sales 224 Auction 249 Total 473 To the Netherlands Government— Normal sales 366 Auction 5 Total 371 On repayment:— To the Pakistan Government— Normal sales 35 Auction Nil Total 35
Auctions (to 15th September)— Place of Sale. Number of machines sold. Sold to Polish Government. Sold to Nether-lands Government. Leeds 165 32 — Cambridge 336 24 — Windermere 405 127 — Nottingham 448 28 5 Birmingham 447 38 — Total 1801 249 5
94. Major Lloydasked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the international situation the auction sales of surplus machine tools are to be stopped.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussNo; for the reasons I have given to the hon. And gallant Member for New Forest and Christ-church (Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre.)
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