§ 29. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the fact that during the war owners of high-powered motor cars were asked to sell them to the Government and that to replace those motor cars now would cost three times as much, he will take the necessary steps so that those who let the Government have their motor cars shall have first call on the redundant motor cars now being sold, at a similar price to that which they received for their surrendered motor cars.
§ Mr. WilmotNo, Sir.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs it part of the Socialist Government's policy to ignore the loyal gestures made by men when the country was in difficulty, and not try to help them now?
§ Mr. WilmotNo, Sir. The owners of these cars received a very good price at the time they sold them.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs the right hon. Gentleman also aware that to replace these cars, owing to the policy of the Socialist Government, people will have to pay three times as much?
§ 30. Mr. Benn Levyasked the Minister of Supply approximately how many vehicles due to be auctioned at Great Missenden are potentially suitable for the needs of disabled ex-Servicemen; and whether he will consider allocating them for this purpose and therefore withdrawing them from the auction.
§ Mr. WilmotI have already promised that we will do our best, before the auctions begin, to select suitable cars to be dealt with under the scheme agreed with the trade. I am afraid it is not possible to say in advance how many there will be.
§ Mr. LevyDoes that answer mean that cars will be withdrawn for the benefit of disabled ex-Servicemen?
§ Mr. WilmotYes, Sir. That is just what it does mean.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreWill they be given preference?
§ Mr. WilmotYes, certainly.
§ Captain Francis Noel-BakerIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the practice of selling and buying by auction—not only these vehicles but other Government surplus stock—is the best system devised? Are not these auctions a kind of Government sponsored black market?
§ Mr. WilmotAs I explained, the accumulations in the parks are dealt with by auction, but the passing of cars for reconditioning by the trade through the normal channels is still proceeding.
§ Captain Noel-BakerIs the Minister satisfied that this is the best method of Sealing with very short supplies on the civilian market?
§ Mr. WilmotIt does not apply to all Government stocks, but only where it is the most suitable way of disposing of them.
§ 31. General Sir George Jeffreysasked he Minister of Supply what discussions le has had with the Motor Vehicle Dismantlers Association with regard to their willingness to purchase vehicles from redundant dumps thereof; and whether, n view of the shortage of spare parts, he will consider making arrangements at the earliest opportunity to sell to the vehicle: dismantlers all those vehicles which cannot be made roadworthy.
§ 39. Mr. Turtonasked the Minister of Supply whether, in order to clear the salvage dumps at an accelerated rate and to make spare parts more immediately available to the public, he will offer all redundant vehicles lying in his Department's dumps to the Motor Vehicle Dismantlers Association for immediate disposal.
§ Mr. WilmotWe have had discussions with this Association, who have expressed their satisfaction at the opportunity they will now have of acquiring vehicles at the forthcoming auction sales.
§ 36. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Supply how many tractors and four-wheel drive trucks his Department have for disposal; and if he will notify farmers, by announcements in the farming papers, of the auction sales at which these vehicles will be offered.
§ Mr. WilmotSome 800 military tractors and 3,500 four-wheel drive trucks are available for disposal from our vehicle parks. I propose to do what the hon. Member suggests
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteWill these auctions take place in various parts of the country so that farmers in the various areas have an opportunity of attending?
§ Mr. WilmotYes, Sir. They will be in various parts of the country where we have depots.
§ 38. Mr. Hoggasked the Minister of Supply the number of vehicles at the Great Missenden dump; how much per week per vehicle is being paid to the occupier or owner of the site of the dump; under what contract; and what is the total figure paid thereunder.
§ Mr. WilmotThere are, at the moment, about 10,000 vehicles at the Great Missenden depot, including 2,650 reserved for U.N.R.R.A. The depot is managed by the owners, who are paid a reasonable management fee. As the number of vehicles in the depot is constantly changing, it is not possible to say what is the fee per vehicle.
§ Mr. HoggIs not the owner of the land being paid something by the Minister? How much, in fact, is the reasonable management fee?
§ Mr. WilmotI do not think it would be in the public interest to disclose the figures of commercial arrangements between my Department and persons with whom they are in contract.
§ Mr. HoggIs not this the first time the House of Commons, in peacetime, has been refused information on matters of account in which the Government are engaged? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer."] I desire to give notice that I will raise this question on the Adjournment.
§ 41. Mr. Michael Astorasked the Minister of Supply why the Government are selling motorcars at auction rather than at a controlled price and to the persons who have, over a long period, applied for permission to purchase motorcars whose names have been listed in the Department.
§ Mr. WilmotI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Acton (Mr. Sparks) on 18th March last.
§ Mr. AstorIs not it inconsistent with government policy for the Government to indulge in a highly speculative venture of this kind?