§ 31. Colonel Greenwellasked the Home Secretary what arrangements exist for reimbursing amounts paid for insuring motor-cars lent to the voluntary motor-car pools where such motor-cars have never been called on and the owners of which have therefore not been able to earn any of the money so expended by the appropriate remuneration on the mileage basis?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonNone, Sir. Membership of these car pools is entirely voluntary, and the terms include responsibility of the car owner to pay for insurance and maintenance. The pools exist to perform services necessary in the national interest, and the numbers of journeys of course depend on the exigencies of the war. These journeys are distributed as widely as possible among the owners available to perform them, but no financial provision can be made to compensate those to whom no journeys can be offered at times when their cars are available.
§ Colonel GreenwellDoes not the Minister consider that this situation is not likely to encourage voluntary effort in the future?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe voluntary car pools were on the basis of voluntary effort for the aid of the country, and I do not believe that the good citizen will be influenced in a contrary direction by material considerations. I agree that it would be difficult in some cases but it was always on a voluntary basis.