§ 48. Sir J. Nallasked the Home Secretary whether those local authorities which still require vehicles for air-raid precautions purposes will be supplied through Regional Transport Commissioners with vehicles which are now surplus to the requirements of other authorities; and whether he is aware that authorities with surplus vehicles have been instructed to dispose of them to dealers, whilst authorities requiring more vehicles have been instructed to purchase de novo from dealers, thus unnecessarily increasing expenditure?
§ Sir J. AndersonMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has already authorised Regional Transport Commissioners to act as intermediaries between local authorities requiring vehicles and those with vehicles to spare. With regard to the second part of the Question, I am not aware of any instructions about selling cars to dealers but when authority was first given to buy cars for A.R.P. purposes it was recommended that unless local authorities had qualified advisers at their disposal they should act through reputable dealers.
§ Sir J. NallAre we to understand that the Commissioners will not be obstructed when endeavouring to make these changes?
§ Sir J. AndersonNo, the Commissioners will do their best to help.
§ Sir W. BrassWould it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to consult with the Minister of Mines with a view to increasing the petrol ration for volunteers in these services, because it would not be necessary for local authorities to buy any new cars at all as they would get them voluntarily if the petrol ration was increased?
§ Sir J. AndersonThat is an entirely different question.