§ 17. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War 1386 Transport whether he will take steps to utilise the thousands of first-class motor-vehicles standing idle in many parts of the country; and, failing this, what provision is made to ensure that they are kept in good working order ready for emergency?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (Colonel Llewellin)I do not consider it necessary that the large number of private cars which have been laid up should be kept ready for immediate use. I have no reason to suppose that they could not be brought into use at short notice if they were required for emergency purposes.
§ Mr. EdwardsDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that my Question refers, not to private cars, but to the hundreds and thousands of omnibuses lying idle all over the country, while munition workers cannot get to their factories for lack of transport, and that, when the time comes, these buses will not be in working condition?
§ Colonel LlewellinI am sorry if I misunderstood the hon. Member's Question. With regard to buses, there is a certain number of single-deck buses which are kept ready for immediate needs. The only difficulty about using them at the present time is that they are not as economical in fuel or drivers as double-decker buses.
§ Mr. EdwardsDoes that matter? Would it not be in the interests of the Army to see that these buses are ready for use, if required?
§ Colonel LlewellinI think the Army has plenty of vehicles. With regard to the other point, if there are places where munition workers cannot get to their work, we do take these single-deck buses and put them into use. If the hon. Member knows of any factory where that is happening, I do wish that he would let me know.