§ 1. Mr. Woodburnasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will issue instructions that new vehicles being commandeered by his Department will be taken over at the works and not after they have reached the customer, and thus save nearly 35 per cent. of the cost to the nation?
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Hore-Belisha)It is already the policy to take over new vehicles at the works, whenever practicable.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the Minister aware that recently there was a case of a vehicle being sent from London to Edinburgh, delivered to a customer, taken over by the military at full price, and sent back to London? Is that in accordance with the right hon. Gentleman's policy?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI cannot possibly know about that particular vehicle, but I have answered the question, and the reply, I think, covers the point satisfactorily.
§ Mr. WoodburnWill the Minister inquire into it, because this extravagance seems to be in shocking contrast to the allowances for soldiers' pensions?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaIf the hon. Gentleman will give me the opportunity of looking into it I shall be glad to do so.