HC Deb 26 May 1919 vol 116 cc818-20
38. Lieut.-Colonel W. GUINNESS

asked how many motor cars are allotted for the use of officials of the Ministry of Munitions?

Mr. KELLAWAY

Twenty-five cars are allotted for the use of Ministry of Munitions officials at the various headquarter offices in London, and twenty-four are allotted in the principal provincial centres.

Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESS

Under what authority are these cars used? Could the hon. Member say how many of these cars are allowed to be used?

Mr. KELLAWAY

The usual authority given to a Minister.

Sir H. CRAIK

May I ask whether it was the habit before the War of Civil servants to use these cars, and, if not, why we cannot now revert to the condition of things that existed before the War?

Mr. KELLAWAY

That is a question as to general policy, which should not be answered by me.

Sir E. CARSON

May I ask the Leader of the House whether he does not understand that the continued action of the Departments in this direction is causing a good deal of unpleasantness?

Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)

I am sorry that I was not listening to the supplementary questions. I understand that these cars are used for Government purposes. We have tried many times to deal with this subject, and I promise that I will try again.

Mr. BILLING

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay on the Table of the House a list of all the cars used by Government Departments, together with their horse-power?

Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESS

Have any steps been taken to limit the use of these cars to official business?

Mr. BONAR LAW

That was done long ago.

Sir H. CRAIK

Will my right hon. Friend look at what occurs every day in Pall Mall and St. James's during the luncheon hour, and will he say whether Civil servants are not by an entirely new rule employing these cars to be carried to their luncheon?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I know there is a good deal of complaint about that, and I am afraid there is some cause for it. I can only promise again that I will inquire into the matter.

Sir H. DALZIEL

May we take it that this scandal will be stopped?

Mr. DEVLIN

Does the right hon. Gentleman now see the value to be attached to supplementary questions?

Mr. BONAR LAW

That is a demonstration to the contrary.

Mr. DEVLIN

Does it not show that the time devoted to supplementary questions is most valuable?

39. Lieut.-Colonel W. GUINNESS

asked how many motor cars are lent by the Ministry of Munitions for the use of each Government Department?

Mr. KELLAWAY

Fifty-nine cars are allotted by the Ministry of Munitions to thirteen other Government Departments, with the sanction of the Treasury in each case. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the Departments and the number of cars allotted.

The following are the particulars mentioned:

Foreign Office, News Department 1
Ministry of Reconstruction 1
Ministry of Labour 35
Ministry of Shipping 6
Board of Agriculture (Scotland) 1
Local Government Board 1
Board of Trade 5
H.M. Petroleum Executive 1
Imperial War Museum 1
War Cabinet (Sir Eric Geddes' staff) 2
Ministry of Pensions 3
Board of Education 1
Ministry of Food (Liverpool) 1
Total 59

Mr. KENNEDY JONES

Is it true that one of the persons supplied with a car was Lord Cunliffe, and, if so, can he say why?

Mr. KELLAWAY

I will circulate with the Report the names of the Departments concerned.

Mr. BILLING

Will the hon. Gentleman call for a Report as to the names of the persons who are using these motor cars?

Mr. KELLAWAY

I think that question should be addressed to the Departments concerned.

Sir H. DALZIEL

Has not the time arrived when they might try a ride in. the busses?

76. Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESS

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many motor cars are allotted for the use of officials of the Local Government Board?

The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Dr. Addison)

No motor car has been allotted for the use of officials of the Local Government Board, but arrangements have been made with the Ministry of Munitions for the use of cars by the Housing Commissioners for special journeys.

Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESS

Could the right hon. Gentleman say how many cars are borrowed from the Ministry of Munitions?

Dr. ADDISON

None have been allotted to our officials. I do not know how many cars have been borrowed.

Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESS

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what he means by officials on the Housing Committee?

Dr. ADDISON

It means anybody employed by the Board.