§ 70. Sir R. COOPERasked the Under-Secretary for War if he will inquire whether there has recently been a large proportionate increase in delays, damage of property, and danger of life in the motor transport service in Britain; and if he will say if this arises from the increased proportion of inefficient drivers that are being taken on by this service?
§ Mr. TENNANTIf the hon. Member is referring to delays, damage to property and danger to life arising from motor vehicles used on Army service, I can asure him that there has been a remarkable freedom from accident, and that this service has been throughout particularly efficient.
§ 71. Sir R. COOPERasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a number of inefficient drivers, who have not the twelve months' driving reference required by the War Office, have been and still are being passed into the motor transport service; and will he take immediate steps to ensure that such men are not sent to the front and that only efficient men are in future admitted to that service?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe rules and regulations as to driving references are still in force for trained drivers and at no time has the length of reference required been reduced below twelve months. It has lately been again extended to three years' road experience. All recruits are tested prior to final approval.