§ 62. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Prime Minister whether there is a sufficient supply of petrol in the country for all purposes; if not, whether he is aware of the number of high-powered motor cars which are in use in London and the immediate neighbourhood; whether he is aware that numbers of high-powered cars are being used by officials in Government Departments, chiefly War Office and Admiralty; that many of these cars only travel about 10 to 12 miles to the gallon of petrol in London traffic; that there are many small cars which travel up to 30 miles to the gallon of petrol which are quite as serviceable as large cars for London work; and whether, with a view to economy of petrol and rubber tyres, he will issue instructions to all Government Departments that for town work only small cars shall be used and, further, that their use shall be strictly restricted to Government purposes and that officials shall not use them for private purposes?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe whole question of the use of motor-cars by public Departments is now being reviewed at the request of the Treasury.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIn the interests of economy, can my right hon. Friend say whether forthwith he will issue an Order prohibiting the use of these large cars in London, and does he know of any physical reasons why a general or an admiral cannot proceed to and fro in a small car?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have said that the subject is being reviewed, and I cannot say more.
§ Mr. HOUSTONWill my right hon. Friend give it his immediate attention?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes.