§ 15. Sir Robert Youngasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, seeing that officers and men of B.A.O.R. have to pay £160 for a Volkswagen, that the sum thus paid is approximately three times its production cost and that the motorcar cannot be exported to this country at the end of the soldier's service duty in Germany, he will say, in view of the transport difficulties which have to be overcome, why this large sum is charged.
§ Mr. J. HyndI am glad to say that arrangements have now been made to permit British personnel in Germany to bring Volkswagen into this country on the termination of their appointment in Germany, provided they have had the cars for at least 12 months. As there is no rate of exchange for the German mark, it is not possible to fix the sterling price by reference to production costs. The price of £160 was related to prices for British cars of comparable performance.
§ Sir R. YoungCan the hon. Gentleman tell us whether arrangements are being made for the disposal of their cars by those who have not been 12 months out there?
§ Mr. HyndYes, Sir. They may dispose of the cars in Germany to other members of the British staffs.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyWill the hon. Gentleman say why British personnel have to pay approximately £40 more for these cars than German nationals or our Allies?
§ Mr. HyndAs I explained in the answer, there is no comparison between the German mark and the sterling price in these matters, because there is no foreign exchange rate