§ 16. Mr. LOUGHasked the Minister of Munitions whether an application was made by the Metropolitan borough of Islington to the priority branch of the Ministry of Munitions for a certificate allowing them to purchase a motor sweeping machine from a firm in York Road, Islington, which is prepared to supply it; whether this application was refused; whether such applications have been granted to other Metropolitan boroughs; and, having regard to the difficulty of procuring horses and the price of fodder, and the urgent need for curtailing expenses, he is prepared to reconsider this decision?
§ The MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Dr. Addison)It is the case that during the past twelve months a few motor sweeping machines were from time to time supplied to borough councils, but the necessity for the provision of spare parts for motor transport has required the curtailment of permits for motor sweeping machines. The particular application of the Islington Borough Council has been looked into again, and, in view of the fact that it can be completed out of parts already in stock, without much additional expenditure of labour, it has been decided to grant a permit for its completion, subject to there being no interference with war work. It is necessary to make it quite clear that the Ministry of Munitions is not in a position to supply motor sweeping machines to municipal authorities unless there are exceptional circumstances in any particular case.