HC Deb 11 October 1939 vol 352 cc314-5
22. Captain Strickland

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the close contact between the fighting forces and his Department, prior to the requisition and impressment of road vehicles steps are taken by him to secure that the total number of vehicles so acquired by various Departments from any one operator is proportionate to that acquired from other operators similarly equipped?

Captain Wallace

The supply of vehicles suitable for the Armed Forces does not greatly, if at all, exceed requirements, and operators possessing a number of such vehicles have necessarily had a higher proportion of their fleets impressed than others. Care is taken to ensure that requisitioning falls as evenly as possible on operators, but the suitability of vehicles for the purposes for which they are required must clearly be taken into account.

Captain Strickland

In the impressment of vehicles is care taken to avoid depriving one-vehicle operators of their only means of livelihood?

Captain Wallace

Impressment is dealt with by the War Office, and any question with regard to it must be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

Captain Strickland

I was assured the other day by the Prime Minister that there was consultation through the Minister of Transport. Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend think it advisable that all impressment should be done through one Department, so that supervision may be more effective?

Captain Wallace

It might be advisable, but the fact remains that a different arrangement was made and it would be difficult to alter it now that the war has started.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there have been a very large number of cases of a small man being deprived of the only lorry he has got?

Captain Wallace

As I said, I have no control whatever over impressment. In a case of requisitioning, where a man's only lorry has been taken and the fact has been notified to me, I have done my best, through my local officers, to get the lorry back or to provide another one.

Sir William Davison

Are we to understand that it is the considered opinion of the Government that where lack of coordination is found, nothing is to be done until the end of the war?

Captain Wallace

I do not think that my hon. Friend is right in drawing that deduction.

Sir P. Harris

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman bring the whole matter up before the War Cabinet, and represent to them the difficulties that he is having with the War Office, so that the interests of the lorry owners are looked after?

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the real point is that the single lorry should not be taken?