HC Deb 19 January 1943 vol 386 cc6-7
5. Mr. John Dugdale

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of electrolytic condensers in the Midlands; and whether, as such shortage may seriously affect large numbers of wireless owners, he has any proposals to make for remedying it?

Mr. Dalton

The shortage of electrolytic condensers is due to the ever-increasing demands of the Fighting Services for radio equipment of all kinds. I fully recognise the importance of keeping civilian wireless sets in use and steps have already been taken to increase production of electrolytic condensers.

Mr. Dugdale

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in my constituency, and I have no doubt in others, 25 per cent. of all repairs to wireless sets are due to breakdowns in this particular apparatus?

Mr. Dalton

I have been giving personal attention to this matter for some little while. I have had a number of reports on the difficulties of owners of wireless sets. I am glad to say that arrangements have now been made which, if they are carried out, as I hope they will be, by those concerned, will mean that by the end of March next we will have filled up the gaps in the 1942 maintenance programme.