§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the date of purchase and original cost of the 1,200 Longines and Omega watches which he is selling by auction on 4th March, 1969, what is the reason for the sale, and how many such watches were purchased during each of the last five years.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe watches were purchased on varying dates between 1940 and 1965; I regret that records showing their exact date of purchase and original cost are not now available. The watches are being sold because they are88W surplus to the requirements of the Royal Air Force in that they no longer reach the exacting standards required for aircrew duties.
I can find no record of any such watches being purchased during the last five years.