asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions how many iron bedsteads are available for disposal from the various camps and hospitals that have now been closed?

Approximately 9,000 iron bedsteads are available for disposal.

Will the hon. Gentleman hand that answer to the First Commissioner of Works to enable him to save several thousand bedsteads for which the Air Service are advertising?

We are in close communication with one another on the subject.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that the Director of Supplies of His Majesty's Office of Works has invited offers to tender for 20,000 bedsteads for the Royal Air Force; that the execution of such a contract would be of great hindrance to the English bedstead trade owing to the present shortage of material and skilled labour; that, in consequence of the prohibition of the exporting of bedsteads during the War, there is a great demand overseas for English bedsteads arising from depleted stocks; that if English makers cannot supply that demand the trade will inevitably go to foreign rivals; and that other Government Departments have in their possession heavy stocks of similar bedsteads which they are gradually selling off at scrap prices; and whether, in view of these considerations, he will advise the reconsideration of the whole matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have, however, been in communication with the Air Ministry who requested my Department to obtain the tenders in question and understand from that Ministry that it is not now necessary to purchase any new bedsteads. The tenders will therefore be cancelled.