§ Mr. NEWMANasked the Under Secretary of State for War, whether any steps have been taken to grade, classify, and sort the motor cars in the hands of private owners that have been registered as available for use if called on; whether these cars are submitted to any inspection on behalf of the War Office at yearly or lesser intervals; and whether any definite standard of efficiency is insisted on?
§ Colonel SEELYNo motor cars have been registered by the War Office as available for use if called upon. Perhaps the hon. Member is alluding to the arrangements made by the county associations in the Eastern Counties for the voluntary registration of motor-cars for use in the event of danger from invasion or raid. These cars are not subject to inspection.
§ Mr. NEWMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state the steps that have been taken in the organisation of motor transport as indicated by the Secretary of State for War in his speech explanatory of Army Estimates in the past Session; whether the type of car as now being supplied is of uniform design and type; whether of wholly British manufacture; and what is the approximate cost of chassis?
§ Colonel SEELYOf the nineteen mechanical transport companies required, there will be fifteen in existence on 1st March, and the remaining four will be raised this year. The provision of tractors is sufficient for each of the existing service companies, and that of lorries is steadily proceeding. The lorries are of sufficiently uniform design and type to allow of the interchange of vital parts. The new lorries are all built by British manufacturers. The approximate cost of chassis is from £550 to £650 according to carrying capacity.