Oral Answers to Questions — Crawler Tractors

– in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 23 Ionawr 1947.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Lieut-Colonel Uvedale Corbett Lieut-Colonel Uvedale Corbett , Ludlow 12:00, 23 Ionawr 1947

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he is asking timber merchants to pay more than the original cost price for crawler tractors which have been hired to them by his Department, and on which they may have paid hiring charges already totalling more than the cost price.

Photo of Sir Stafford Cripps Sir Stafford Cripps , Bristol East

The prices charged are based on current sale values, after making due allowance for depreciation. I am advised that they compare favourably with those which are being realised for similar vehicles in the open market. The amounts paid for the hiring of the vehicles are not regarded as relevant to the disposal value.

Photo of Lieut-Colonel Uvedale Corbett Lieut-Colonel Uvedale Corbett , Ludlow

Could not the right hon. and learned Gentleman offer some concession to merchants who give an undertaking not to resell their vehicles?

Photo of Sir Stafford Cripps Sir Stafford Cripps , Bristol East

I do not see any reason why they should get them below market price, which is what substantially has happened.