§ MR. FELL (Great Yarmouth)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the fact that the bulk of the motor omnibuses in use in London have been made in Germany, and that contracts have recently been placed in that country for the construction of about —350,000 worth of these vehicles to be used in London; and whether he can in any way assist in transferring this industry to this country in such a way as to find employment for the mechanics discharged from the Woolwich Arsenal.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEI am aware that many of the chassis of motor omnibuses in use in London are of foreign production. I understand that foreign makers have had longer experience than British manufacturers in this branch of industry. This advantage, however, as in the case of motors generally, is now diminishing and there is reason to hope that in the future a larger share of the orders will fall to British manufacturers. I see no reason why suitable mechanics discharged from Woolwich Arsenal should not have an equal chance with others of sharing in any employment thus afforded.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEThe Board of Trade have no official information.
§ MR. BYLES (Salford, N.)Are not these imported omnibuses paid for by British labour employed in some other industry?
§ [No Answer was returned.]