§ 43. Mr. INSKIPasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he an state that no demands will be made for railway trucks for the conveyance of motor vehicles to or from the Cippenham depot until the accumulations of traffic at the ports have been overtaken; whether it is proposed, either now or in the future, to repair vehicles at Cippenham which do not belong to Government Departments; and how many vehicles belonging to Government Departments it is estimated will require repair each year at Cippenham when all vehicles surplus to Government requirements on a peace footing have been disposed of?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYIn view of the importance of increasing every possible form of transport facility, I do not consider it would be in the public interest to give the undertaking asked for in the first part of the question. It is not proposed to repair vehicles at Cippenham which do not belong to Government Departments. I am not at present in a position to answer the third part of the question.
§ Mr. INSKIPHas any calculation been made as to the number of vehicles which will be available for repair at Cippenham after the arrears have been cleared off, or has the depot been built without any calculation as to the future?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe repairs at Cippenham show that the number of surplus vehicles was at least 80,000 belonging to the War Office.
§ Mr. INSKIPIs it estimated that those will be cleared off after three years' time?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYIn a less period than that, I hope.
§ Mr. INSKIPWhat will be done afterwards?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYA decision will be taken when that arises in accordance with the suggestion of the Committee of Inquiry.
§ Sir D. MACLEANIs the action just indicated by my hon. Friend the only action the Government propose to take on the Report of the Select Committee with regard to the motor depot at Slough?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYAn answer has already been given by the Leader of the House on that point.