§ 37. Sir John Mellorasked the Minister of Supply what business with the British Motor Racing Research Trust required a senior official of his Department, accompanied by his wife, to visit the Shelsley Walsh hill-climb on 11th June in an official car; where did the journey begin and end and what mileage was covered; and why he authorised this.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussMy Department takes an active interest in the work of the Trust, one of whose objects is to enhance the prestige of the United Kingdom motor and engineering industries by the construction of new racing cars. The performance of certain car units was under examination at the hill-climb, and it was appropriate that my Department should be represented. The journey began and ended at Nottingham, where the official is stationed, and covered 192 miles.
§ Sir J. MellorIf the journey was really necessary, which I doubt, could it not have been performed less expensively by train and taxi?
§ Mr. StraussIt is a most inconvenient cross-country journey. It would have taken very much longer, and the official is very busy.