§ 81. Captain Soamesasked the Minister of Supply how many saloon motor cars were recently sold at auction by his Department at Elstow, near Bedford, where, in many cases, the prices realised were from £50 to £75 above the list price; for what reasons these motor cars were not reallocated to Government officials, in order to avoid the necessity of supplying the latter with new motor cars; and what is the average period for which motor cars are normally maintained in Government service before disposal.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussFour hundred and two saloon cars, which were either unsuitable for Government use or could not be economically repaired, were sold at the recent Elstow auction. The average period for which cars are normally kept in Government service is seven years. Cars are not, however, disposed of until they are beyond economical repair.