17. Mr. C. PALMERasked the Minister for Transport whether he can give any information as to the methods under which the motor-car pool is operated by his Department; whether these cars are at the service of Ministers at all hours of the day and night; and whether it is possible under that arrangement for a Minister of the Crown to secure the whole-time service of a motor-car in the pool?
§ Sir E. GEDDESThe motor-cars in the motor-car pool are available for officials of Departments which have Treasury authority to draw on the pool. Cars are supplied on requisition, and full details of each journey, with the name of the officer using the car, are recorded. The cost of each journey is charged against the using Department. One car is retained at night for the use of the Foreign Office, and others can be used at night if ordered before. It is not possible for any Minister or officer to have a car allocated for his sole use.
§ Sir E. GEDDESThere were two, and one is being sold.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINWill the right hon. Gentleman see that, as far as possible, cars of a comparatively low horse-power are retained?
§ Sir E. GEDDESAll are of low horsepower, except the Rolls-Royce. As soon as we can get down to what is to be the definite number of cars, we shall endeavour to have lower horse-powered cars.
§ Sir E. GEDDESNo. No car is allotted to any particular Minister.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs the mileage cost not something like eight shillings per mile?
§ Sir E. GEDDESIt does not work out at anything like that, but the cost was intentionally placed at a high inclusive figure so as to bring home to the Departments the cost of using the cars.