HC Deb 24 February 1919 vol 112 cc1412-3W
Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in the sale of the several hundreds of thousands of Army horses he will give a preference to British farmers?

Captain GUEST

The best of the surplus Army horses are being brought back from France and are being sold by public auction throughout the country. No special preference is given to any class of purchaser.

Mr. RAMSDEN

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in disposing of surplus stock, he will give specially sympathetic consideration to the requirements of discharged and demobilised soldiers wishful to settle on the land or to start business; and whether arrangements can be made in these cases for payment for light cars, lorries, implements, and machinery on the instalment system or on some other which will permit of extended credit being given to those with small capital only?

Mr. KELLAWAY

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Eastbourne on the 13th instant.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sir F. HALL

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions (1) how many motor lorries or other motor appliances have been sold by public auction since 11th November, 1918; the date of such sale; where it took place; the name of the auctioneer; the number of lorries or other appliances sold in each lot; and what amount was realised for each separate lot; and (2) how many motor lorries or other motor appliances have been sold by public auction since 11th November, 1918; the date of such sale; where it took place; the name of the auctioneer; the number of lorries or other appliances sold in each lot; and what amount was realised for each separate lot?

Mr. KELLAWAY

The number of motor lorries sold by public auction since the 11th November, 1918, is twenty-five. The number of motor cars sold is 128. The number of motor tractors sold is 116. The number of motor cycles is eighty-six.

The sales took place as follows:

Date. Place. Auctioneers.
27–11–18 St. Martins Lane Messrs. Aldridges.
13–11–18 Newport Newland, Hunt and Williams.
16–11–18 Carlisle R. Harrison and Sons.
16–11–18 Reading Symonds and Sons.
25–11–18 Menai Bridge Pritchard and Co.
12–11–18 Hexham W. and T. Iveson.
26–11–18
3–12–18 Maidstone Ambrose and Foster.
18–1–19 Shrewsbury Mansell and Co.
15–1–19 St. Martins Lane Aldridges.
5–2–19 St. Martins Lane Aldridges.
30–1–19 Brixton Aldridges.
22–1–19 St. Martins Lane Aldridges.
29–1–19 St. Martins Lane Aldridges.
12–2–19 Willesden Dilley, Son and Read.

In no case was more than one vehicle sold in one lot. It would be impossible within the limits of Parliamentary answer to gibe details of the prices received for each vehicle, but I shall be glad to show my hon. and gallant Friend the figures.