HC Deb 26 May 1965 vol 713 cc84-5W
53. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the average purchase price of the 1,213 prismatic binoculars and the 234 1/100 minute stop watches offered for sale, and the average prices obtained, at the auction sale at Wem, Shropshire, on 25th February 1965; why they were purchased; and why they were classified as surplus goods instead of being retained for further use or utilised by other Departments.

Mr. Mulley

The binoculars, only 702 out of 1,102 of which were offered for sale since 400 were withdrawn, were bought during the war for general service use for about £8 each, and were disposed of because they were not serviceable and could not be repaired economically. The stop watches were bought during the war for use in schools, training establishments, trials and experimental establishments and by recruiting officers in aptitude tests, for about £4 10s. each, and were disposed of because they were not serviceable and their repair was not justified. It is not usual to give details of prices realised.

54. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name the Government Departments and public bodies which were sent shopping lists of surplus goods available before decisions were taken to prepare catalogues so as to offer them to the public at auction sales at Manchester on 2nd February, Bicester on 9th February, Wem, Shropshire on 25th February, and Rotherwas, Hereford on 4th March; and if he will place in the Library specimen copies of the shopping lists.

Mr. Mulley

I cannot readily give a complete answer to the Question because of the many hundreds of items involved in these sales, but I will send my hon. Friend a number of examples. Specimen copies of the shopping lists cannot be placed in the Library since it is well established practice that inter-departmental communications are not disclosed outside official circles.