HC Deb 23 June 1947 vol 439 cc3-4
6. Mr. W. Shepherd

asked the Minister of Supply the number of motor cars, surplus to requirements, disposed of by him either to Government Departments or to Government-sponsored corporations', and how many of these motor cars were of 14h.p. and under.

Mr. Wilmot

Two hundred and ninety-one surplus motor cars were disposed of to Government Departments and 25 were sold to Government-sponsored corporations. Two hundred and forty-five were of 14h.p. or under.

Mr. Shepherd

Can the Minister say why these vehicles were disposed of to these corporations when there are disabled ex-Service men waiting for such vehicles?

Mr. Wilmot

The corporations needed the vehicles for their work.

Mr. Shepherd

Does not the Minister realise that many of these disabled men need these motor cars in order to get to their place of work and that they cannot get to their work without them?

Mr. Douglas Marshall

Is the Minister aware that the Minister of Transport will not even accept names from 100 per cent. disabled men so that they can get reconditioned cars, and will he not review the matter?

Mr. Wilmot

I have reviewed this matter and I have decided that when cars are suitable for disabled ex-Service men they will be given to them.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why these corporations should get preferential treatment in this matter when they get priority for new cars as well?

10. Mr. Digby

asked the Minister of Supply what arrangements he has made to supply reconditioned ex-Service motor cars to Government corporations; whether these vehicles would otherwise have been offered to the public by auction and whether inquiries are made as to the purpose for which these motor cars are to be used by the corporations.

Mr. Wilmot

Twenty-five cars, of which three were reconditioned, have been supplied from surplus Government stocks to the Airways corporations. My information is that these cars are being used for the corporations'- official business.

Mr. Digby

Is it not a fact that some of these cars are being used by the employees?

Mr. Wilmot

I understand that they are being used on official business only.