§ 27. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALLasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that there are many hundreds of motor lorries and motor chassis stored on the roads in Lee, S.E.; that these vehicles have been there, in many cases, for periods up to six months; that in a number of instances the bonnets are not on, and the engines are, consequently, red with rust, while very few of them have on bonnet covers; and what steps he proposes to take to dispose of these vehicles before they be come valueless through lack of attention?
§ The DEPUTY-MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)I have been asked to answer this question. A number of motor vehicles which had been parked 1589 at Kempton were moved to Grove Park, Lee, S.E., and were thrown up by the War Office to the Ministry of Munitions for disposal. Owing to the shortage of storage it was not possible for the War Office to place the vehicles under cover. Covered accommodation has now been provided at Slough, 211 lorries have been removed and the remainder will be moved by the end of this week. I am informed that no bonnets are missing and there has been no serious depreciation in the value of the articles.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYWhy could not the vehicles have been moved before, and not after, the question was put down on the Paper?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYBecause of the lack of covered accommodation. The accommodation has only become available in the last few days.