Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1953 > Committee of Public Accounts > Report - Appropriation Accounts 1950 - 1951

APPENDIX IX.

METHODS BY WHICH SURPLUS STORES ARE SOLD.

With trifling exceptions of negligible value, e.g., sale of single scrap telephones to amateur dramatic societies, all surplus stores sold are sold either by (a) public auction, or (b) competitive tender. The particular one of these two methods to be adopted is determined by the likelihood of its bringing the best price.

Main items sold by public auction are motor vans, trucks, motor cycles, cycles, tyres and tubes.

Main items for which competitive tenders are sought are wire scrap, battery scrap, waste paper, old clothing, metal scrap generally and all miscellaneous scrap. For the more valuable scrap, tenders are usually invited from foreign as well as home scrap merchants; foreign firms would probably not send anyone here to bid at an auction, but they are prepared to tender and frequently quote the highest prices.

The normal practice is to invite all firms thought likely to be interested.

There was no departure in the year of account from the general practice described above.