71. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Minister of Supply at what rate were the motor cars which were recently sold by his Department to local authorities and others depreciated beforehand.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussUntil 31st March, 1950, when the scheme came to an end, cars sold to local authorities and other sponsored bodies were depreciated by 33⅓ per cent., 43 per cent. and 66 per cent., according to condition. These percentages were applied to current list prices, with Purchase Tax.
Air-Commodore HarveyWill the right hon. Gentleman now say why he did not adopt the course suggested by my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Bedford (Mr. Lennox-Boyd) in a supplementary question a few minutes ago?
§ Mr. StraussI do not understand the relevance of that question.
Air-Commodore HarveyMy hon. Friend asked the Minister why he did not buy or take over the cars for his own Department, thus releasing new cars for the public?
§ Mr. StraussThere is another Question on the Order Paper dealing with that specific point.