HC Deb 28 October 1947 vol 443 cc694-6
51. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many motor cars and commercial vehicles are owned by Government Departments, respectively, at the latest available date, how many have been purchased since 1st January, 1947, and how many are on order and what was the cost of those vehicles now in use and the cost of those now on order.

Mr. Dalton

The information asked for in the first part of the Question could not be collected without a disproportionate expenditure of labour. Since 1st January, 1947, 1,255 motor cars and 3,685 other vehicles have been purchased, costing about £456,500 and £2,145,000 respectively. The numbers on order are 1,360 and 5,588, respectively, and their approximate costs £624,000 and £2,440,000.

Sir W. Smithers

In view of the abolition of the basic petrol ration, will Ministers set an example to the rest of the country by walking to their offices in sackcloth and ashes as penance for the disaster and catastrophe to which their policy has brought this country?

Mr. Dalton

I take note, as always, of the hon. Gentleman's suggestion, but I should like to explain that these cars are not for the use of Ministers. They are for the use of agricultural executive committee officials, Board of Trade officials in their regional work, and other civil servants, which is eminently desirable. These are certainly covered by the essential requirements condition which has been introduced by the Ministry of Fuel and Power. These officers are all doing excellent work.

Mr. W. Fletcher

Is it not important that the executives who are running the businesses should be able to use vehicles and petrol as much as those who are sent to direct them?

Wing-Commander Hulbert

Do the figures the Chancellor has given include the cars bought by the Coal Board?

Mr. Dalton

No, Sir. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] They include Government Departments. The greater number of the vehicles, as distinct from the cars, was in respect of the Post Office, whose vehicles were much run down during the war and need rapid replacement.