§ 30. Miss Burtonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many new cars delivered to the docks for the export trade and to distributors for the home trade are damaged mechanically by conditions arising from the car-delivery business, and that the trade would welcome an inquiry; and whether his Department would be prepared to hold one.
§ Sir D. EcclesNo, Sir. If the hon. Lady has any evidence of damage I should be glad to bring it to the notice of the motor manufacturers and others concerned.
§ Miss BurtonThat is not the question. Is the Minister aware that both the Transport and General Workers' Union and the industry itself are convinced that mechanical damage is done by the overdriving of these cars, and that furthermore it is due to inefficient managements causing too many journeys to be made each day? In view of that, is he not prepared to reconsider the question of an inquiry, which we all feel should have very wide terms of reference and would therefore be better conducted by the Board of Trade?
§ Sir D. EcclesNo, Sir. I have made inquiries from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which says that it has no evidence of any damage. I think it is a matter which the manufacturers and their drivers should settle between them.