§ 12. Mr. Errollasked the Minister of Supply how many of the 37 new cars purchased for the official car service this year are for the purpose of replacing old cars; what mileages have these old cars completed; and how they are being disposed of.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussTwenty-six. Twenty-three of the cars being replaced had been previously used by the Services and there is no record of their total mileage. The remaining three, which are 10 h.p. models, have each completed about 50,000 miles. The old cars which cannot be repaired economically for reissue to Government Departments will be sold by auction.
§ Mr. ErrollDoes not the answer show that the service is still expanding quite unnecessarily, and that old cars are being disposed of before they have done a proper mileage?
§ Mr. StraussI do not think that it shows anything of the sort.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanCan the Minister say why it is not possible to show what mileage a Service vehicle has done? That is something new.
§ Mr. StraussApparently their mileages are not all recorded, or the speedometers are faulty.
§ 13. Mr. Errollasked the Minister of Supply what approximate period of time elapses between his placing an order for a new car for the official car service and its receipt by him from the makers.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussNew cars for the official car service are included in orders placed by the Ministry of Supply for cars for all Government Departments. First delivery begins about six months after the placing of an order and it takes from nine to 18 months to complete the order.
§ Mr. ErrollIs it not the case that in view of the short time that elapses, namely, only six months, the Minister of Supply is able to secure a considerable priority through his influence over steel allocations?
§ Mr. StraussNo, there is no truth at all in that statement.