§ 42. Sir P. Macdonaldasked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware that many C licence holders are experiencing great difficulty in transport matters at the present time, owing to the shortage of tyres and spare parts, and whether consideration will be given to ensuring that commercial road transport shall receive some priority in this matter, pending the return to normality in this field.
§ Mr. BarnesThe policy of my Department and of the Ministry of Supply, which is responsible for the distribution of tyres, is to increase the supply of those tyres and spare parts which are still in short supply and to ensure that vehicles engaged on essential work have first call on them.
§ Sir P. MacdonaldWhat is the use of granting Class C licences to people unless they have facilities to carry out servicing? Why not give them priority?
§ Mr. BarnesI think the hon. and gallant Gentleman ought to realise that these are two separate processes, and it would be no service to retailers or others with C licences to withhold the licence on the ground of the difficulty of spare parts.
§ Sir P. MacdonaldThe vehicles have not got spare tyres or spare parts.