§ 25. Colonel Wheatleyasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the present situation regarding inner tubes for bicycles for home use.
§ 31. Brigadier Prior-Palmerasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is a shortage of tubes and outer-covers of size 26 inch by 1⅜inch for bicycles; that this shortage affects a large number of wage-earners who rely on this means of transport to convey them to their place of employment; and what steps he is taking to relieve this shortage.
§ Sir S. CrippsI would refer the hon. and gallant Members to the statement on the production of bicycle tyres and tubes given to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Collins) on 11th October. The present position is substantially unchanged. Every endeavour is being made to secure additional labour for the existing tyre industry and increased production facilities are being provided as speedily as possible
§ colonel WheatleyIs the Minister aware that this shortage of tyres is causing great hardship to people who are forced to go to work on their bicycles, and will he do something to speed up the production of tyres?
§ Sir S. CrippsI am quite aware of the inconvenience, which I much regret, and 906 we are doing our best to increase production.
§ Mr. StubbsIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that workmen are losing a great deal of time because of the shortage of tubes and tyres for their bicycles which are the only means they have of getting to work? What does he propose to do, because many of their bicycles are laid up for want of new tyres?
§ Sir S. CrippsI am quite aware of the difficulties, and we are doing our utmost to solve them.