Ignition Switch Thing - What is it?

Hi Guys,
I'm doing a little bit of work to our old Series 3 (taking out a full width dash the previous owner stuck in) & have taken the real dash out to trace wires.

I've never noticed before but there is a strange 'thing' next to/on the ignition switch, its a cast thing with a pipe from the back that disappears through the bulkhead to the engine bay. I've not found where the pipe goes to - it goes into the bulkhead from the cab but cannot see it appear from the other side.

Anyone have any ideas on this one?

I'd appreciate any help on this one

that thing is a holder for the original choke controll knob if its a petrol or the engine shut off if its a diesel this is what it would have left the3 factory in solihull with

alass as it was a design fault that these things got brittle with time and use and quite often broke wich was far easier to refit an aftermarket one that doesnt fit the original fitting cast onto the ignition barrel and has to be fitted elsewhere

i can guarrantee the cable by the looks of it has been cut off and shoved out of the way behind the bulkhead when it broke its basically like a bicycle brake cable in this case should just pull out to be disposed of if you so wish