HC Deb 08 March 1949 vol 462 cc955-6
1. Major Tufton Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in spite of the recent increase of ½d., the motor mileage allowance rate for officers and men of the Territorial Army, who have to use their private cars for journeys between their homes and their normal places of employment or unit headquarters, is still little more than half the allowance given by other organisations and by many local authorities; and if he will immediately review this situation with a view to making a more generous allowance.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Shinwell)

The rate is now 3½d., having been increased by½d. as a result of a review last October. This rate is intended only to cover actual running expenses in petrol, lubricants, wear of tyres and extra depreciation and maintenance, as it is assumed that the car is maintained in the first place for private reasons; it is not intended to cover the cost of licensing, insurance and depreciation by age. I am not aware that there is any reason to carry out a further review at present.

Major Beamish

Is not it a fact that local authorities and other organisations make an allowance of 5d. and 6d. a mile? Why should Territorial Army officers and men give up their spare time to do this most valuable work and be treated in such an ungenerous fashion?

Mr. Shinwell

But these other local authorities provide for total expenses—

Major Beamish

No, they do not.

Mr. Shinwell

—of upkeep, so I understand—

Major Beamish

It is wrong.

Mr. Shinwell

—as against the actual running expenses. This, on the whole, is regarded as a generous allowance. As far as I am aware there has been no discontent.

Mr. Erroll

Would the Minister consider giving the same allowance to Territorial Army officers as he gives to Regular officers who use their motor cars?

Mr. Shinwell

I do not propose to go further than this at the present time.

General Sir George Jeffreys

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some cases at any rate local authorities give more, and that it is solely for the use of the motor car, and for nothing more? Why should there be this skinflinting and cheese-paring in the case of the Territorial Army?

Mr. Shinwell

I do not regard it either as cheese-paring or skinflinting. As a matter of fact, we regard it as quite generous.