§ 42. Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Prime Minister whether this House will be given an opportunity of discussing the question of a War Office subsidy of motor lorries, in the event of their being required for purposes of war, before the War Office Committee come to any final decision in the matter?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The hon. Member may rest assured that the advantages to be gained by a scheme of registration, which are very considerable, will be fully weighed before a decision is taken; but I am afraid I cannot undertake to promise that discussion in this House shall precede decision.
Lieut.-Colonel J. WARDAre we still to understand that the proposition of the War Office is to pay £45 per annum for each registered car? I have seen the document myself. Is it intended, without discussion in this House, to make such an astounding financial arrangement as that?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONNo, Sir. I think I replied yesterday to an hon. Member that this matter is under consideration. No decision has been come to.
Lieut.-Colonel WARDDo I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that he does not make a promise that this House shall consider such an astounding proposition before it is carried out?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONIs it not a fact that forms have already been sent out to people to fill in for the purpose of getting this £45?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI do not know that any such forms have been sent out, but I will inquire into that matter. With regard to a discussion, of course there is every opportunity of discussing these matters when the Army Votes come up in the House. [HON. MEMBERS: "Too late!"] The expressions of opinion that have been uttered here with regard to this matter will have due weight in the War Office. I cannot promise that discussion will take place in this House before a decision is taken.
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us, approximately, what the total cost is going to be?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONIf the question is put down, I shall be very glad to ascertain.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREHas the Treasury been consulted in this matter?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONNo decision has yet been come to.
§ Mr. WATERSONIs this part of the Government's scheme of economy?
§ Captain Viscount CURZONWill the right hon. Gentleman say definitely, yes or no, whether any payments will be made under the scheme before the House has had a chance of discussing it?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThere may be no payments at all. No decision has yet been come to. I cannot undertake to answer hypothetical questions.
§ Mr. PENNEFATHERHow is it no decision has been come to, if the forms have been sent out?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI was not aware that any forms had been sent out.
§ Sir D. MACLEANMay I ask this definite question? Will the right hon. Gentleman defer a decision in this matter until it has been raised on the Estimates?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI think the point put by the right hon. Gentleman is quite fair, that we should not bind ourselves to anything until the Estimates have been considered. This form, which has just been put in my hands, says it is only a proposed form.