HC Deb 04 May 1932 vol 265 cc1095-6
14. Captain STRICKLAND

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total expenditure for the past three years involved in the purchase of British and foreign motor vehicles, respectively, for Government use in Uganda, Kenya, Tanganyika, and Nyasaland?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)

In the case of vehicles bought through the Crown Agents for the Colonies for the Governments of the territories to which my hon. Friend refers, £51,919 has been spent upon the purchase of motor vehicles of British manufacture and £2,227 upon the purchase of motor vehicles of foreign manufacture. The latter figure represents the cost of four American tractors specially ordered for one of the Governments concerned. I have no information as to any purchases that may have been made locally by the Governments concerned.

Captain STRICKLAND

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it was impossible to buy British tractors?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

The policy of the Crown agents is always to buy British goods and to use British ships, but this was a special case in which the Government concerned wanted a particular kind of tractor.

15. Captain STRICKLAND

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total amount of loans afforded by the Treasury to Government officials in Uganda, Kenya, Tanganyika and Nyasaland for the purchase of British and American motor vehicles, respectively, during the past three years?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No such loans are made by His Majesty's Treasury. Advances are made by the Governments of the Dependencies to which my hon. Friend refers to enable officials to buy motor vehicles required by them in the course of their duties. I regret that the amount of these loans cannot be ascertained without disproportionate labour. In Kenya and Nyasaland, and in a number of other Colonies, any advance made is by regulation conditional upon the vehicle purchased being manufactured in the Empire. I propose to suggest the formal adoption of this rule to all Colonial Governments which make such advances.