HC Deb 04 March 1936 vol 309 cc1391-2
86. Mr. SHINWELL

asked the Secretary of State for War the effect of the report on the repair of mechanised vehicles, which was prepared in 1930, on the relations between the Royal Army Service Corps and the Royal Army Ordnance Corps; whether co-ordination has been effected; and the nature of the economies secured?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Sir Victor Warrender)

The responsibilities of the Royal Army Service Corps and the Royal Army Ordnance Corps regarding mechanical transport, both in war and in peace, have been reviewed in great detail since the Committee, to which the hon. Member refers, reported in 1930. Consideration of the question has been complicated by the rapid increase in the total volume or repair work to be undertaken, consequent on the increasing numbers of mechanical vehicles in the Army, and for the same reason it is not possible to measure the resulting economies. The hon. Member may, however, rest assured that adequate steps have been taken to avoid overlapping and to ensure that full use is made of all existing repair facilities, with complete reciprocity between neighbouring Royal Army Service Corps and Royal Army Ordnance Corps workshops and, at some stations abroad, common workshops to cater for both services.