asked the Minister for Justice if he will state (1) the number and total cost of (a) Rover, and (b) Mercedes cars already purchased from the respective assemblers; (2) the estimated number and total cost of (a) Rover, and (b) Mercedes cars to be purchased from these assemblers during the next four years; and (3) whether he intends to acquire all of the cars which it is proposed to purchase at an estimated cost of £50,000 over the next four years from the two assemblers concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Rover and Mercedes Cars.
As mentioned in reply to previous questions by the Deputy, six Rover and two Mercedes cars were purchased by the Controller of Stores. The cars were purchased below the list price at a discount the amount of which it would be contrary to practice to disclose.
As indicated in my reply on 6th November, no commitment has been entered into for the future supply of ministerial State cars. The particular make and model to be purchased will be determined when the need for replacement arises in the light of the circumstances then obtaining, including the range of cars available, their prices and the requirements of the individual Ministers.
Although the proposed cars, and the cars recently purchased are, I understand, smaller, the prices do not substantially differ from the prices of the old cars and there is no great difference in performance and in view of the fact that the performance of the old cars was satisfactory and the suppliers satisfactory, would the Minister not agree that obviously there has been some undue influence brought to bear within the Cabinet by a Cabinet colleague, seeing that the old supplier and the old type of car were as satisfactory as the new suppliers and the new cars supplied both in the immediate past and to be supplied in the future?
That is typical of the Deputy's mind.
Would the Minister state what is the percentage of the cost of assembly in this country in respect of each of the cars?
I could not give the Deputy that information offhand.