§ 38. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production, in 1904 view of the limited transport available, if he will take immediate steps to secure for the use of the public service motor cars that are now lying idle and are standing exposed to the weather, particulars of which have been sent to him.
§ Mr. WilmotThe hon. Member has sent us a copy of a recent Press photograph of one of the vehicle parks under my control. I would refer him to my answer to the hon. Member for Newark (Mr. S. Shephard) on 15th October, which gave full details of the procedure which is followed in disposing of the vehicles in these parks. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of this reply.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs it not a fact that there are thousands and thousands of vehicles parked all over the country? In view of the shortage of transport, will not the right hon. Gentleman release them at once, and if they cannot be used as they are will they be broken up and the parts used? Will he take some definite steps to put the matter right?
§ Mr. WilmotI am sure the hon. Gentleman and the House will agree that it would be a very foolish policy to fill our roads with unsafe vehicles. The vehicles which have been passed to my Department, and which are needing repair and reconditioning, are being dealt with up to the limit of the capacity of the industry, which we are doing everything we can to increase.