HC Deb 06 May 1943 vol 389 cc324-5W
Mr. Thorne

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he is aware that 4,000 unwanted motor-cars and vans are at the Crystal Palace; what method is used to flatten out the bodies; and what he intends doing with them?

Mr. Hicks

The arrangements for dealing with unwanted motor cars at the Crystal Palace are under the control of the Ministry of Works. Any spare parts which appear suitable are removed and handed over to the Ministry of Supply. Thereafter the cars are broken down and the various constituents sorted, suitably treated and subsequently distributed in accordance with the instructions of the appropriate Ministry of Supply authorities. For example, steel bodies and wings which are only valuable as scrap steel are flattened on the site by steam roller and sent direct to the manufacturers.