asked the Minister of Works the number of mechanical excavators purchased in America which have since been found surplus to requirements, and in consequence been shipped to one or other of the Dominions or Colonies, through Government Departments in this country or the Crown Agents for the Colonies.

Of the total of 438 excavators purchased on Government account in the U.S.A., 25 were shipped to the Dominions or Colonies through Government Departments in this country or the Crown Agents for the Colonies. These 25 machines were allocated from our own requirements to the Dominions and Colonies concerned, as they were unable at that time to obtain from Great Britain all the plant required for their essential needs.