HC Deb 30 April 1929 vol 227 c1375
24. Mr. DAY

asked the Postmaster-General how many motor mail vehicles are at present in use by the Post Office and how many of these vehicles are entirely of British manufacture; and can he give further particulars of the number of motor mail vehicles that are at present on order by the Post Office?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir William Mitchell-Thomson)

The present Post Office owned fleet of motor mail vehicles consists of 2,544 vehicles (of which 475 are motor cycles). Of this total 1,608 are 100 per cent. British and 932 are about 97 per cent. British. The remaining four vans, which are largely of foreign origin, were purchased for experimental purposes. Contracts are at present placed for 150 motor cycles; these will be entirely of British manufacture.

Mr. DAY

Am I to understand that there is not 100 per cent. of British cars because the right hon. Gentleman's Department do not think British cars the best?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

No. Ninety-seven per cent. of the Fords is made in England, and 3 per cent. is foreign.

Commander WILLIAMS

Has the percentage of British cars gone up in the last four years?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

Yes.