29. Lieut.-Colonel W. GUINNESSasked the Secretary of State for War how many motor cars are being used by the Air Ministry?
§ Major-General SEELYThe number of cars used by the Air Ministry is forty-two. This includes cars used by branches of the Ministry housed in London but not in the Hotel Cecil
§ Major-General SEELYI think it is either six or eight at the outside—about that. Besides that there would be about thirty. That will be thirty-six about, for the staff of the Air Ministry housed at the Hotel Cecil.
§ Colonel ASHLEYCould they not go by trains like other people?
§ Major-General SEELYThirty-six seems a large number, but if you consider the number of officers which must be at the Hotel Cecil—I forget how many hundreds there are—it is evident that the vast majority of them go about like other people.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs my right hon. Friend aware that it was given in evidence before us that they required motor-cars because if they walked up and down the Strand they would be jostled by soldiers who would not salute them?
§ Major-General SEELYI am sure that cannot be given as a serious reason. But the whole question is being considered by the Committee of my right hon. Friend the Member for the City of London. Every reduction possible will be made, but I must not be taken as assuming that it is desirable that cars be taken from officers of the Royal Air Force who have to administer large districts.
An HON. MEMBERWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the large number of cars used by civilian officials of the Air Ministry?
§ Major-General SEELYI am inquiring into that; as far as I can make out we have now come nearly to a minimum.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many cars are used by the civilian members?
§ Major-General SEELYI must have notice of that.
§ Major E. WOODCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any truth in the statement frequently made that these cars are used to carry ladies about?
§ Major-General SEELYNo, Sir; I cannot believe that ever happens.