HC Deb 04 October 1944 vol 403 cc933-4
51. Mr. Coleg;ate

asked the Minister of Production whether, in view of the serious exchange position arising owing to the low volume of British exports, he will take immediate steps to release substantially larger supplies of raw materials to firms engaged on manufacture for export.

The Minister of Production (Mr. Lyttelton)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, gave to the hon. Member for South Croydon (Sir H. Williams), the hon. and learned Member for North Edinburgh (Mr. Erskine-Hill) and the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) on 26th September. Steps will be taken, when the times comes, to see that the allocation of raw materials for civil production including exports keeps step with the release of capacity and labour from war production.

Sir Joseph Lamb

Would it not be possible, where it is not practicable for a large bulk to be issued, for smaller supplies to be given to a firm so that they could make a certain amount into samples to be sent out with a view to future deliveries?

Mr. Lyttelton

My hon. Friend will have seen the arrangements which are being made for the manufacture of certain prototypes and samples.

Mr. Coleg;ate

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that this is universally considered in industrial circles as very unsatisfactory, and that this matter requires urgent and serious attention?

Captain Strickland

My right hon. Friend mentions "when the time comes;" will he indicate what sort of time he has in mind, because it is no use waiting until the end of the war before we start?

Mr. Lyttelton

As far as raw materials and such things as prototypes and samples are concerned I do not think there is any immediate difficulty.

Sir Oliver Simmonds

In view of the fact that some factory workers are already idle, is not the time for action now?

Mr. Stokes

When the right hon. Gentleman speaks of "when the times comes," will he make sure that the Americans do not steal a march on us? They have already done so.

Mr. Colegate

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment.