asked the Minister for Defence if he will state, with reference to his replies to questions of the 5th April, 1949, and the 15th March, 1950 (Official Report, Volume 114, column 2225, and Volume 119, column 1905, respectively), how far warlike stores provided for in sub-head P, Vote 63, of the 1948-49 Estimates and placed on order, have been delivered to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Warlike Stores.
Major de Valera
The position as regards deliveries remains as stated in the reply given to the Deputy's question on the 15th March, 1950.
Major de Valera
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state, with reference to his reply to a question of the 15th March, 1950 (Official Report, Volume 119, column 1906), how far warlike stores provided for in sub-head P, Vote 63, of the 1949-50 Estimates and placed on order, have been delivered to date.
Deliveries to the value of £5,000 have been received against orders placed in respect of warlike stores provided for in sub-head P, of the Defence Vote, 1949-50.
Major de Valera
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state (i) to what value or amount orders have been placed to date for warlike stores provided for in sub-head P of Vote 56 of the 1950-51 Estimates; (ii) how far the stores so ordered have been delivered and (iii) when deliveries of the balance may be expected.
Orders to an estimated value of £23,000 have been placed to date during the current financial year in respect of stores provided for in sub-head P. Stores to the value of £600 have been delivered. No information is available as to when deliveries of the balance will be made.
Major de Valera
Is the general position in regard to availability in securing stores still as the Minister stated some time ago on his Estimate, or is there any easing in the situation with regard to the getting of stores?
I think I share the Deputy's view that the position with regard to warlike stores is thoroughly unsatisfactory. Stores are not coming through as heretofore from Britain. At the present moment we are exploring the possibilities in different countries in two continents and I hope there may be an improvement, but there is nothing to indicate in writing that the stores ordered will not come through. There is still a promise to supply, but no date named. I do not like the position at the moment.