§ 11. Captain Stricklandasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to specific cases of the misuse of Army motor-vehicles in conveying officers and men to football matches and dances and, in particular, to the use of three motor-coaches and four trucks, on 9th March, to convey soldiers a distance of one mile to the swimming baths on a route served by a frequent omnibus 1360 service; and what steps he is taking to prevent such wastage of petrol?
§ The Secretary of State for War (Sir James Grigg)I am investigating the cases of which my hon. and gallant Friend has sent me particulars. I am sending him a copy of an answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle) on 5th May, in which I explained the narrow limits within which the use of Army motor-vehicles for other than purely military purposes has now been restricted.
§ Captain StricklandHas my right hon. Friend seen any reply from the military authorities from whom he has asked for particulars of cases?
§ Sir J. GriggI have not yet had a formal report, but I have had an interim reply from which, without committing myself to this being the final fact of the case, it looks as though the incident to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers happened before the restrictions were imposed.
§ Earl WintertonIn view of the apparent number of incidents which have occurred, can steps be taken to insist that units should keep a road use book, that is to say, a record of the use to which vehicles are put, which should be open to inspecting officers?
§ Sir J. GriggI will send my right hon. Friend an answer on that point, but I have not the slightest doubt that it will be "Yes."