§ Mr. McKinlayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that on 31st December and 5th January two ex-Army lorries, registration numbers GXR 202 and GXR 204, were delivered to the county council of Dumbarton under the Ministry scheme for the issue of reconditioned ex-Army lorries for C.D. purposes; by whom these lorries were reconditioned; the cost of the work in question; by whom they were inspected and accepted on behalf of the Ministry; and will he take steps to have the lorries removed and replaced by vehicles in proper running order.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe vehicles are two of a number of serviceable vehicles which are being taken over direct from the Army and are not subjected to mechanical inspection on behalf of my Department until they reach the local authority. Minor repairs and adjustments, if necessary, are undertaken at that stage, the cost being borne by my Department. No cost of mechanical reconditioning had been incurred between the release of the vehicles from the Army and the time referred to in the Question, and since Dumbarton county were unwilling to arrange for the necessary work to be put in hand they have been sent to Ministry of Supply workshops in the district, after which they will be returned to the county. The amount of work required is, I understand, small.