§ Mr. Emeryasked the Chancellor of the Excheque what is the total value at purchase price at any convenient date, or at the date of stocktaking, of stocks held by all Government Departments of consumables; and what percentage of that stock is one, two or three or more years old.
§ Mr. William RodgersThis question could only be answered at the cost of disproportionate time and effort.
§ Mr. Emeryasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what control he exercises over, and what directions he has issued regarding the holding of stocks in Government Departments.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe Treasury issues general guidance for framing stores instructions—see Section H of "Government Accounting"—but the control of stocks is a matter for individual Departments—within the constraints imposed by expenditure restraints.