§ Mr. W. Robertsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can provide that lime-works, agricultural merchants and other owners of motor lorries shall not be deprived by requisitioning of so many lorries as to make it impossible for them to carry out the services they render to agriculture; and whether there is any authority to which such persons can appeal when an unreasonable number of vehicles have been so requisitoined?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe position regarding the requisitioning of vehicles used for the transport of agricultural products is governed by Treasury Circular No. 17 39 dated 15th May, 1939, as amended by Treasury Circular No. 21 39 dated 30th June, 1939. I am sending copies of these documents to the hon. Member. It is provided thereunder that vehicles "normally used wholly or mainly for the conveyance of raw materials for food manufacture, of agricultural products and of livestock, for the bulk or wholesale distribution of foodstuffs and for the essential retail distribution of foods"—may not be reserved or requisitioned by any service. My Department is prepared to take up with the Ministry of Transport any cases in which the reservation, requisitioning, commandeering or impressment by any service of vehicles covered by the above description can be said to have a detrimental effect on food production. The particulars required for this purpose are the registered number of the vehicle, the purpose for which the vehicle is ordinarily used and, if practicable, the name of the requisitioning or impressment officer.