§ 48. Major BEAUMONT THOMASasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many foreign motor vehicles and how many British motor vehicles are in use by the Department of His Majesty's Customs and Excise; and whether any foreign motor vehicles are on order at the present time?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence)The Customs and Excise Department use five motor vehicles, three of British manufacture belonging to His Majesty's Stationery Office, and two which are provided on hire by an outside contractor and as to the nature of which I have no particulars. I may mention that in Northern Ireland 15 cars, all of British manufacture, are used by members of the police force of that country who are engaged on Customs patrol work. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASSDoes the hon. Member not think that the Department might take the trouble to find out what those cars are?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEMay I ask whether it is usual in hiring vehicles to specify that they shall be of British manufacture?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEI cannot answer that question without notice.