HC Deb 05 October 1944 vol 403 c1127
55. Mr. Butcher

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has made arrangements, either by manufacture or import, for an increased supply of tracklaying tractors for agricultural use.

Mr. Hudson

The requirements notified to the United States Government for 1945, together with outstanding approved requirements for previous years, cover the replacement of worn out agricultural crawler tractors and an appreciable increase in the tractor strength. The extent to which these requirements can be met, however, will depend on the numbers that can be released from the United States, the urgent demands for crawler tractors for military purposes and the needs of other countries. No arrangements have yet been made for manufacture in this country, but proposals are under consideration in consultation with other Departments concerned.

Lieut.-Colonel Heneage

Will my right hon. Friend also consider the importation of spare parts for these tractors, as many of these tractors are not working for some time because spare parts are not available?

Mr. Hudson

That is being done on a considerable scale.