CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ARMY TOURING CARS. – Dáil Éireann (4th Dáil) – Tuesday, 4 Dec 1923

Mr. DARRELL FIGGIS

asked the Minister for Defence how many touring cars there are in the possession of the Army, and of what types, and the capital cost of these in the aggregate, what is the monthly cost for the running and upkeep of these cars, what officers are entitled to use the cars of each type, what duties require the allocation of each type, what is the form of authorisation given for such use of touring cars, and what is the basis of allocation of such cars for the use of officers.

MINISTER for DEFENCE (General Mulcahy)

There are in the possession of the Army 285 touring cars, as follows:—

207	Ford	Touring	Cars
25	Crossley	,,	,,
2	Dodge	,,	,,
15	Vauxhall	,,	,,
6	Overland	,,	,,
4	Rover Sunbeam	,,	,,
1	Star	,,	,,
2	Hupmobile	,,	,,
4	Hudson	,,	,,
1	Buick	,,	,,
1	Angus Sanderson	,,	,,
1	Clement Talbot	,,	,,
1	Benz	,,	,,
11	Fiat	,,	,,
1	Briscoe	,,	,,
1	Chandlier	,,	,,
1	Wolseley	,,	,,
1	Metalurgique	,,	,,

Many of these are cars seized or commandeered during the recent fighting. They are not all in use. The following are particulars in respect of cars which are in use:—

Ford	Touring	Cars	115
Crossley	,,	,,	16
Dodge	,,	,,	2
Vauxhall	,,	,,	9
Overland	,,	,,	1
Rover Sunbeam	,,	,,	4
Hudson	,,	,,	1
Buick	,,	,,	1
Angus-Sanderson	,,	,,	1
Fiat	,,	,,	6
Total			156

Of which, roughly, 25 per cent. are off the road at all times for overhaul or light repairs.

It is not possible to state the actual capital cost of these cars. They come under four headings:—

(1) Cars taken over from the British Government at the time of evacuation by the British forces and in respect of which no specific sale figure is yet agreed on.

(2) Cars of various types that fell into the possession of the Army during the recent fighting.

(3) Cars commandeered from private owners.

(4) 25 new Ford Touring Cars at a cost of £130 each.

It is not the practice to keep a separate account in respect of the running and upkeep of each particular car. The average monthly cost for repairs and upkeep is £28 per car in use.

The duties of the Senior Officers attached to G.H.Q., Command Headquarters, and Special Services are such as make it essential to allocate touring cars to them individually. In the cases of Branches of the Administrative Departments of the Army the allocation is not made to officers, but to the particular branch. In allocating cars to officers or departments the type of car is not taken into consideration.

In the case of cars allocated to certain individual officers, the car is officially allocated in Departmental Routine Orders, and the officer concerned is responsible for the proper use of the car. In the case of cars allocated to Departments the head of the particular Department is held responsible for the proper use of the car. Each driver carries in his possession a Duty Order indicating his duties, journeys undertaken, etc.

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Dec 1923