asked the Minister of Supply what steps are taken by his Department to make certain that items offered at Ministry of Supply public auctions are not those needed by the purchasing branch of his Department.

New goods are not ordered unless it has been established that no suitable surpluses are available.

How can the right hon. Gentleman explain a case, which I have checked again today, of a buyer who resold to the Ministry of Supply, at a big profit, something which he bought a short time ago at a public auction?

I should like to have details of that case before I make any comment.