§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the success or otherwise of the Service Departments' practice during the last 10 years of selling second-hand equipment; and whether he intends to continue the same plans and practice in future.
§ Mr. RamsdenThe Service Departments dispose of surplus stores both new and second hand in accordance with the general principles and procedures set out in the Government White Paper on theExport of Surplus War Material dated January, 1956, (Cmd. 9676). Over the last 10 years the disposal of surplus stores has been carried out with considerable success and large sums have accrued to the Exchequer both in United Kingdom and foreign currency. It is intended to continue to dispose of surplus stores to the maximum benefit of public funds.