§ 36. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Supply how many private motor cars of post-war manufacture and the property of His Majesty's Government are stored at his Department's depot, Summerfield, Kidderminster; for what purpose these vehicles were acquired by His Majesty's Government; what is the reason for storage at Summerfield what is the assessed current market value of the vehicles; and how and when the Minister proposes to dispose of these motor cars.
§ 24. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Minister of Supply how long the Austin 16 saloon cars, stored in sheds at his Department's depot at Summerfield, near Kidderminster, have been in this country; what steps were taken to prevent the cars from being affected by the recent snow; and how soon the cars will be repaired and brought back into use.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussAbout 200 cars purchased for the Control Commission for Germany were handed over to my Department for disposal between June and August last year. The cars are in covered storage at Summerfield, and I am satisfied that they are adequately protected. They are being overhauled and repaired and will be issued to Government Departments during this year.
§ Mr. NabarroMay I have a reply to the last part of Question No. 36, which asks for the value of these cars?
§ Mr. StraussI am rather anxious not to give an estimated value of cars which 562 are retained in Government service, because it may be that similar cars will shortly be declared surplus and sold. If I gave an indication of their price now it obviously would not be in the Government's interests.
§ Mr. NabarroIn view of this large and unexpected influx of nearly new cars from Germany, is it still the policy of the Minister to continue to purchase new motor cars?
§ Mr. StraussNot if we can possibly help it or recondition cars already in our possession.