13. Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Works on how many occasions during the past year official motor cars have been sent abroad to Geneva or other places on the Continent for the use of delegations attending conferences; and what is the approximate cost.
§ Mr. MolsonDuring the past year, official cars were sent to cover four conferences at Geneva. The total cost was approximately £2,000. Two cars were kept in Geneva for the duration of the first three conferences, as they were almost continuous.
Mr. VaneAlthough the cost was not very great, would my right hon. Friend look at this matter again to see whether this exercise is really worth while and whether, in the end, it is not simpler to arrange for some local hire firm to provide for the delegation?
§ Mr. MolsonWe have looked into the matter and, as far as we can make out, it is slightly cheaper to send our own cars over. It results in a certain economy in foreign exchange. There is not very much in the matter, but on the whole it is better to send British cars.
17. Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Works what reduction has been made in the number of chauffeur-driven cars for which his Department is responsible since November, 1951.
§ Mr. MolsonThere were 722 chauffeur-driven official cars on 1st November, 1951. When the Government Car Service was formed on 1st April, 1952, it consisted of 661 cars: there are now 277.
Mr. VaneWhilst congratulating my right hon. Friend on that particular piece of administration, may I ask him to ensure that out of those which remain there are at least some sent to Geneva which are a credit to the car industry of this country and that he has not to rely on superannuated Humbers?
§ Mr. MolsonI would point out to my hon. Friend that, when we are trying to 182 be as economical as possible, it is hardly likely that we can have a fleet of brand new cars.