HC Deb 24 June 1930 vol 240 cc964-5
58. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

asked the Postmaster-General how many motor vehicles are used for the conveyance of mails, and of the total what number is of British manufacture?

Mr. LEES-SMITH

2,950 vehicles owned by the Department are at present in use for conveying mails. Of these 2,111 are wholly British; 835 are British with the exception of certain parts representing about 3 per cent. of their value, and four are foreign. I have no definite information as to vehicles owned by mail contractors, but I believe most of them to be British.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

Can the hon. Gentleman make arrangements, in view of the absolute and undoubted superiority of British manufactured motor-cars, to ensure that 100 per cent. of those used in the Post Office will be British?

Mr. DAY

Can the hon. Gentleman say where the four foreign vehicles were purchased?

Mr. LEES-SMITH

With regard to the first supplementary question, the hon. Member will see that at present the number is practicaly 100 per cent. With regard to the second question, I cannot say where the four foreign vehicles were purchased. They were purchased by the late Administration.