§ 22. Mr. Isaacsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production, why his Department has appealed to the owners of high-powered motorcars to lend them to the Ministry; why, in view of the Government's decision to take over all property, he could not have taken possession of these vehicles; how many of these motor cars are in the country; and how many have been loaned to the Government?
§ Colonel LlewellinThe cars for which my Noble Friend appealed are required primarily to transport ferry pool pilots to and from the widely scattered aircraft storage units. He was satisfied that he could obtain all the cars needed from patriotic owners who had the good fortune to possess them. The number of cars offered in response to the appeal is approximately 200, but I have no information as to the total number of such cars in the country.
§ Mr. IsaacsCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman say why, if it was found necessary at the beginning of the war to requisition the small vans of little tradesmen and thereby ruin their businesses, the requisitioning of these cars was not done on the same basis?
§ Colonel LlewellinWhen the Government requisitioned the vans of tradesmen, they paid compensation for those vans. The advantage that we get by having these cars given to us by the patriotic people who have done so is that we pay nothing for them.
§ Mr. IsaacsMay I suggest to the hon. and gallant Gentleman that that is practically what they paid to the tradesmen?