HC Deb 12 November 1945 vol 415 cc1742-3
74. Commander Galbraith

asked the Minister of War Transport how many reconditioned Army vehicles are now available; how many midwives, nurses and badly disabled ex-Servicemen have applied for such vehicles; and how many such applications have been granted.

Mr. Barnes

Eighty-five cars were notified to my Department in October as becoming available and these are already on offer to suitable applicants. I have on hand about 600 applications from nurses and midwives, and about 1,700 from disabled ex-Servicemen, 400 of whom are badly disabled; since 1st June I have granted 71 permits to nurses and midwives and 252 to badly disabled ex-Service men.

Commander Galbraith

Will my right hon. Friend keep in mind, as more cars become available, that they are very essential to ex-Servicemen wishing to set themselves up in business once more?

Mr. Barnes

Yes, Sir, I have steadily increased the percentage allotted to ex-Servicemen in the disposal of these cars, and the recent revision brings the distribution to disabled ex-Servicemen up to nearly 90 per cent.