§ 85. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how he intends to dispose of the large numbers of motor cars, motor cycles, trucks and lorries now concentrated at Prestwood, Bucks.
§ 89. Major C. Pooleasked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he is aware that the motor trade is unable to recondition the large quantities of Government vehicles before re-sale to the public; that, in consequence, large numbers are becoming scrap; and if he will authorise the sale of such vehicles direct to the public, ex site.
92. Mr. H. Amoryasked theMinister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how many surplus and used motor cars and lorries are still being held for disposal; and whether, in view of the shortage for civi- 288W lian purposes and the deterioration taking place in the case of vehicles dumped in the open, he will immediately offer for sale all those fit for the road in their present state.
§ 93. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether, in view of the fact that thousands of Service vehicles are lying out in the open and deteriorating and in view of the urgent public need for these, especially in the distributing trades both at home and in Europe, he will forthwith put them up to public auction,
§ 96. Sir J. Lucasasked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if, in view of the scarcity of new motor cars, and the number of ex-Service vehicles now being broken up, he will allow persons who have placed firm orders for new motor cars to hire redundant vehicles at their risk until new motor cars can be delivered.
§ 98. Mr. Willisasked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production what policy is being followed in the disposal of surplus vehicles.
§ Mr. WilmotAt present, some 41,000 vehicles, including about 12,500 motor cycles, are under the control of my Ministry awaiting disposal. The majority of the repairable vehicles of normal types so far declared surplus in this country have been sold through trade channels under an approved scheme whereby they are made available to users in a properly reconditioned state and at fixed prices. Thanks to the willing co-operation ofthe motor trade this scheme has worked well and to the mutual advantage of the Exchequer, the user, and the legitimate trade interests. We propose to continue to operate it.
I have, however, decided that it is necessary to supplement this scheme by special sales to clear as rapidly as possible the accumulations of vehicles of a variety of types at various parks throughout the country, such as that at Prestwood. I have arranged for sales by auction on the sites of these parks. Purchasers who buy in the auctions will be required to take the vehicles as they lie and "as is "—according to the phraseology of the trade —without guarantee of any kind. It will be for the purchaser himself to remove them, to arrange for such repairs as are necessary and to comply with the requirements of the law as to safety.
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§ 87. Major C. Pooleasked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how many of the surplus N.F.S. vehicles stored at Hollyfields, Rectory Road, Sutton Coldfield, have been disposed of; and the nature of such disposal.
§ Mr. WilmotOne hundred and sixteen vehicles, beyond reasonable repair, have been moved to a breakdown depot. The remainder are to be sold by auctionas soon as this can be arranged.
§ 90. Mr. Attewellasked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if it is proposed to allow the sale in this country of a proportion of surplus Army stock of lightweight folding motor cycles, known as Welbike, to individuals desiring to purchase for their own use.
§ Mr. WilmotAll surpluses so far declared have been disposed of to an export firm for re-sale to America. This transaction was particularly welcome in view of the urgent need for dollars. These machines could not in any case have been used on the roads in this country without considerable conversion to comply with the requirements of the Road Traffic Act, 1930.
§ 97. Colonel Errollasked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production the number of Class 6 vehicles sent to his depot at Ruddington for breaking up this year; and the number of these put on one side by the depot superintendent as suitable for further use.
§ Mr. Wilmot1,713 vehicles have been sent to Ruddington for scrapping this year, and 163 of them have been set aside for further examination.