Service Vehicle Release-Unsatisfactory Position
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THE disposal of vehicles was again a topic in the House last, week. Major Lyons desired to know whether the invitations to tender prior to present arrangements were made publicly or otherwise and to whom; by whom the examinations were made as to recgpditioning suitability; and what restrictions were imposed as to resale upon the first disposal under the present scheme.
Mr. Harold Macmillan said that prior to the present arrangeme,nts the invitations to tender for the disposal of vehicles was issued to dealers and car breakers operating within a limited distance of the park in which the particular vehicles were located. The examination as to suitability for reconditioning was made by technical officers of the Ministry of Supply.
With regard to the last part of the question, as he had stated on December 10, vehicles were sold only to operators holding certificates to purchase from the 'Regional Transport Commissioners of the Ministry of War Transport.
To a suggestion by Major Lyons that the semi-private nature of the original
tender helped to form a ring which Imt up prices and was unjust to the taxpayer, Mr. Macmillan said the'practice, under the original system, was to issue offers of tender to merchants within a reasonable distance of -the parks, and he did not think any other system could have been followed.
Major Lyons then asked if Mr. Macmillan did not realize that he himself had played a part in acquiring some of these vehicles for which the tax-payer was paying the high price which he himself helped to make, whilst Mr. Noel-Baker requested that the Minister would be good enough to answer that point, as a very important question had been raised.
Mr. Macmillan replied that he had been asked what had been the practice before they had been able to institute a new system. The question referred to a period more than six, or eight months ago. A completely new system was now in .operation.
Upon this Major Lyons gave notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory position disclosed, he would take the opportunity of raising the matter ou the adjournment when convenient.