§ Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an estimate of the number of books for educational and recreational purposes in the possession of the Army; how many of these books are in storage and unused; and what action is taken to dispose of those which are no longer required by the Army as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. ShinwellThere are some 1½ million books for educational and recreational purposes in the possession of the Army. About 600,000 of these are held by the Army Central Book Depot which receives constant demands 117W on these stocks. Surplus books are returned to His Majesty's Stationery Office for disposal through trade and other channels. Over 200,000 have been returned and a further 27,000 are now available.