asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that a circular was issued by his Department on the 13th April, 1945, to auctioneers inviting tenders for the sale of 50 second-hand motor lorries; if he will state the name of the firm to which the contract for the sale of these lorries was awarded, the terms and conditions of their appointment and the remuneration paid, including a statement as to whether such firm was permitted to retain for their own use and benefit the entire amount of the auctioneers' fees paid to them by purchasers; and, if not, the proportion of said fees to be paid over to the Department and the amount so received by the Department; and whether he will further state the gross amount realised by such sale.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Army Motor Lorries.
I am aware of the circular letter issued to Dublin auctioneers on the 13th April, 1945, inviting applications for the sale of 50 second-hand motor lorries. No contract was placed as a result of this circular, as the auction was unavoidably postponed. On the 21st August, 1945, the Dublin auctioneers were again asked to submit their terms as the number of vehicles for sale had, in the meantime, increased to 94. The contract for this sale was placed with Messrs. Stokes & Quirke, 33 Kildare Street, Dublin.
It is not the practice to disclose details of the quotations submitted to my Department and I am, therefore, not prepared to answer the Deputy's question in this connection.
The sale price of the 94 vehicles sold at the auction on the 19th September, 1945, was £21,535.