HC Deb 17 November 1919 vol 121 cc610-1
70. Mr. HOHLER

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions the date at which the towage of damaged lorries from Richborough to Slough commenced; how many lorries have been so towed from that date to the present; how many more he estimates there are to be towed; will he give the total cost to date of the towage and an estimate of the further cost to be incurred; and will he state whether the figures include the damage to the 120 miles of road?

Mr. KELLAWAY

The towing of lorries from Richborough to Slough commenced on 9th August. Up to the present 3,905 lorries have been so towed. The estimated cost of £15 per lorry, which I gave in reply to my hon. Friend's, question on 10th November, covers all contingencies, including possible damage to the roads. I am unable to give even an approximate estimate of the number of lorries still to be dealt with.

Mr. HOHLER

Have 70,000 yet to be brought from France?

Mr. KELLAWAY

I regret that I cannot give even an approximate estimate.

71. Mr. HOHLER

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he had, or has, any machinery in France or in this country which could have been transferred to Richborough for the purpose of repairing the damaged lorries; and if he will make, or has made, any inquiry of the Admiralty, Army, or Air Force as to whether they could place any works at his disposal suitable for the repair of the lorries, or undertake their repair, e.g., at Harwich, Dover, Sheerness, Chatham, Woolwich, or Kingsnorth?

Mr. KELLAWAY

In view of the facilities which exist at Slough for the repair of motor vehicles, the cost of transporting plant and setting up separate repairing depots at Richborough or elsewhere would not be justified.

Mr. HOHLER

Has the hon. Gentleman made inquiry of any other Government Department—the Admiralty and the Dockyards—to see what can be done there? The machinery exists.

Mr. KELLAWAY

I am aware that the machinery exists, but the policy of establishing depots for repairing motor vehicles would be an extremely wasteful one.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Was not the object of purchasing Slough to engage in mass repairs in the same way as mass production, and is it not more economical?

Mr. KELLAWAY

As usual, my hon. Friend is well informed.