HC Deb 02 November 1939 vol 352 cc2127-8W
Captain Strickland

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty at what rates payment is made for the hire of road motor goods vehicles by his Department; what are the periods of payment; and to what date full payment has already been issued?

Mr. Churchill

Rates at which motor goods vehicles are hired under emergency conditions vary in different localities and have mostly been settled on the spot by the local Admiralty authorities on the best terms obtainable, according to the nature and duration of the work to be performed. Payment is made as bills are rendered. At certain places the settlement of standard rates of hire is still under correspondence but in these cases reasonable advances have been made.

The answer to the last part of the question could not be given without a large number of inquiries addressed to each of the many local authorities concerned. The date would, of course, vary for each establishment.