§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he will quote the words of Defence Regulation 53 (1) upon which his Department relied in requisitioning the Rolls-Royce limousine motor-car allocated to the Foreign Office.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerMy Noble Friend relies upon the whole of Regulation 53 and those related to it for his authority to requisition the motor-car in question. The words which have particular relevance are
…A competent authority, if it appears to that authority to be necessary or expedient so to do in the interests of the public safety, the defence of the realm or the efficient prosecution of the war, or for maintaining supplies and services essential to the life of the community, may requisition—(a) any chattel in the United Kingdom … and may give such directions as appear to the competent authority to be necessary or expedient in connection with the requisition.