asked the Minister for Defence if he will state, with reference to his reply to a question of the 5th April, 1949 (Official Report, Volume 114, column 2225), 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
All the warlike stores ordered during the financial year 1948-49 have been delivered, excepting the artillery radar equipment, valued at approximately £80,000, and some small items, valued at about £700. Delivery of these outstanding stores is expected during the next financial year.
Major de Valera
Will the stores delivered in the next financial year to which the Minister refers be a charge on next year's Estimate or will the moneys voted in the previous year be available without having to draw on the Estimates for this year?
Anything delivered and paid for in the next financial year must be met out of the next financial year's Vote.
Major de Valera
Will the Minister say that in his present Estimates he will make provision for £80,000, or whatever the sum outstanding for stores to be delivered under the Vote in question may be in addition to whatever he needs for the next year?
I think that the Deputy, by way of supplementary, is going very far afield. He is opening up a very big question to which I indicated the answer in a statement here a couple of months ago. He will have an opportunity of putting his question and getting the answer within a fortnight on the Army Estimate. I would only take up undue time to try and explain to the Deputy now the new system of indenting and receiving supplies. It is not economy of a financial nature that is holding it up. It is world demand.
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 Vote 63 of the 1949-50 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 £62,700 have been placed during the current financial year in respect of warlike stores provided for in sub-head P. No deliveries have been made to date, but some are expected in the immediate future. It is anticipated that all the stores on order will be delivered during the financial year 1950-51.
Major de Valera
Will the Minister be prepared to go into this matter in detail on his Estimates? I shall not pursue it further now.
I do not know whether the Minister is confusing in his vocabulary or whether the Deputy is non-receptive in his hearing. I did go into this matter in detail. I pointed out that at the beginning of every financial year we have to indent. We are asked for a firm indent in the winter. We make the provision in one firm indent. We may or may not get that before the 31st March. In other words, we are really estimating two years ahead.
Major de Valera
I take it we shall have an opportunity of going into that on the Estimate?
I hope so, and I am sure that the Deputy will avail of it.