81. Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary of State for War the number of motor vehicles at the transport depot at Kempton Park at the date of the signing of the Armistice, and the number now; whether for some time such vehicles have remained in the open without adequate protection and subject to serious depreciation; why steps have not been taken to arrange for the sale of the vehicles no longer required for military use in view of the demand for such vehicles and the loss incurred in postponing the sale, through the vehicles deteriorating in value; and what payment is being made for the use of the land occupied by the depot and when it is proposed to terminate the tenancy?
§ Mr. FORSTERI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to a reply which I gave to a similar question relating to motor cars asked by the hon. Member for South Down, on 17th March. The total number of 593 vehicles of all kinds at the Mechanical Transport Depot, Kempton Park, at the date of the signing of the Armistice was 16,931. The number now is 13,177. Many of these vehicles have of necessity remained in the open, owing to the absence of covered accommodation. Depreciation is undoubtedly taking place, but where possible it is reduced to a minimum by the use of tarpaulins and the greasing of vulnerable parts. The War Office have notified large numbers of vehicles to the Disposal Board of the Ministry of Munitions as available for sale, and sales have been taking place now for Home time at as frequent intervals as possible. Payment for the use of the land and buildings is now being made at the rate of£1,700 per annum, inclusive of rates and taxes, as from the 1st October, 1915, in accordance with an award of the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission. A further claim for expenses incurred from the said date has been recently submitted in consequence of a later ruling by the Commission in a similar case, but the investigation of the figures has not yet been completed. The exact date of the termination of the tenancy cannot at present be stated.
Sir F. HALLTaking into consideration the large number of men that must be employed on greasing these vulnerable parts, and in looking after tarpaulins, would it not be to the interest of the War Office and the country to get rid of these motor lorries with the least possible delay?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes; and, as I said in my answer, we have notified the Ministry of Munitions that there are large numbers for sale.
§ Mr. FORSTERPerhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put a question to the Minister of Munitions.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, at the present rate of sale, it will take eight years to dispose of all these motor vehicles?
§ Mr. FORSTERI do not think it will take so long as that.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIt would at the present rate.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake that all these cars shall be sold by auction singly?
§ Mr. FORSTERI think they are sold by auction. The arrangements for the disposal of these cars are in the hands of the Ministry of Munitions.