HC Deb 02 May 1956 vol 552 cc53-4W
Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for War the reasons for declaring as surplus 28,900 teleprinter black ink ribbons and offering them as Government surplus stock at a public auction sale at Woolwich on 26th April.

Mr. Head

Large stocks of this type of ribbon were left over from the last war. In 1955, following complaints from users, remaining stocks were inspected and many ribbons were found unserviceable. Those which could be reconditioned were retained; the remainder, 28,930 ribbons, were declared for disposal.

Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for War the reasons for declaring as surplus 359 Royal Enfield motor-cycle engines and 1,409 tarpaulins and offering them as Government surplus stock at the public auction sale at Ruddington on 1st and 2nd May.

Mr. Head

The Royal Enfield motorcycle engines were declared surplus because the Army no longer uses motorcycles of this make.

The tarpaulins referred to are waterproof covers manufactured during the war for war-time types of vehicles. These vehicles are now rapidly going out of service, and 1,409 tarpaulins were found to be surplus after allowing for future requirements.

Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for War the reasons for declaring as surplus 10,000 pairs canvas shoes, 1,550 pairs khaki gloves, &c., and 1,090 items pantees and vests and offering them as Government surplus stock at the public auction sale at Ruddington on 1st May.

Mr. Head

The canvas shoes were made during the war when there was a shortage of rubber and were recently found to be unserviceable. The gloves, pantees and vests had been returned in poor condition by units and were unfit for re-issue.

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