§ 48. Captain Stricklandasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the present unco-ordinated system of requisition or compulsory purchase of road transport vehicles by separate Departments of State, and to secure a more equitable spread of demand, he will consider plac- 1939 ing the sole power of such requisition and purchase for State purposes in the control of the Ministry of Transport?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)At present all requisitioning of vehicles under the Defence Regulations for any Government purpose is carried out only by officers of the Ministry of Transport. The Fighting Services have powers of requisition as well as of impressment, and I do not consider that it would be in the public interest to deprive them of those powers. They have, however, both before and since the outbreak of war, operated in close contact with the Ministry of Transport and will continue to do so.
§ Captain StricklandIs my right hon. Friend aware that considerable inconvenience is being caused by particular transport operators having a largely disproportionate number of their available vehicles requisitioned by different Departments without regard to those that have already been taken?
§ The Prime MinisterI was not aware of that. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put down a question to the Minister of Transport.
§ Mr. FlemingWill my right hon. Friend consider the case of the man with only one vehicle which is requisitioned, with the result that his living is taken away?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not personally responsible for this arrangement. The question put to me was as to what was the practice.