HC Deb 05 June 1951 vol 488 cc93-4W
Sir W. Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement as to the present position of the stores, equipment and of the disposal of the 250,000 tons of stores of an estimated value of £100,000,000, details of which appear in sections 29 to 32 of the Second Report of the Committee of Public Accounts, H.C. No. 183.

Mr. Strachey

Most of the 250,000 tons of stores referred to in paragraph 29 of this Report are now in depots in the charge of Middle East Land Forces. Other stores have been issued to units, incorporated in building projects, or returned to the United Kingdom. Stores of no further use to the War Department have been or are being disposed of either through Ministry of Supply channels or by the East African Disposals Board.

Sir W. Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the recommendations in sections 29 to 32 of the Second Report of the Committee of Public Accounts, H.C. No. 183; if he will give an assurance that if it becomes necessary to supplement or replace existing bulk storage abroad, every care will be taken to examine the suitability and the strategic importance of the proposed sites; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Strachey

I have read this Report and can give the hon. Member the assurance for which he asks. With regard to his request for a statement, I would refer him to the reply given by my hon. Friend's predecessor to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. N. Macpherson) on 22nd November, 1950.