30. Lieut.-ColonelGUINNESS asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty has availed itself of the pool of motor vehicles organised by the Ministry of Transport; and whether any service cars are still kept under Admiralty control?
§ Sir JAMES CRAIGThe Admiralty has not availed itself of the pool of motor vehicles organised by the Ministry of Transport. Nine cars are still maintained under Admiralty control in London.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIs it considered economical to keep this small special fleet of cars, instead of using the Ministry of Transport?
§ Sir J. CRAIGI am not quite aware of the conditions under which this arrangement was made, but I presume it was made with a view to efficiency as well as economy. I cannot give my hon. Friend all the details as I had nothing to do with making the arrangement, but it was sanctioned by the Cabinet.
§ Mr. LAMBERTWill the hon. Gentleman inquire a little more particularly to ascertain whether these cars were kept before the War?
§ Sir J. CRAIGI did make certain inquiries before I came down, and I find 2054 one car is used by the garage staff in connection with the repair of vehicles and motor lorries in the London district and for visiting contractors. I find that two cars are kept in reserve and of the remaining three closed and three open cars, those are used by the Board of Admiralty, the heads of Departments and other officers whose services justify them in using them, as certified by the head of the Department.
§ Mr. LAMBERTIs the hon. Gentleman aware, and I can speak from experience, that before the War members of the Board of Admiralty had no private cars at Government expense?
§ Sir J. CRAIGI am quite sure that what the right hon. Gentleman says is quite true. I have no doubt that the Admiralty, like every other Department, is anxious to return to pre-War conditions as quickly as possible. I will have further inquiries made.