§ 39. Mr. Errollasked the President of the Board of Trade what allocation of raw materials is made to firms manufacturing model railways, engines and rolling stock for export; how Messrs. Hamblings, of 10, Cecil Court, Charing Cross Road, London, may obtain an allocation since they cannot obtain orders without materials and his Department will only supply materials to new firms against definite export orders.
§ Mr. BelcherIt is true that allocation of raw materials is, and must be, closely related to export performance. But the Board of Trade is always prepared to consider representations from firms who have not hitherto been exporters, if they can provide adequate evidence that they are capable of obtaining firm export orders.
§ Mr. ErrollThe Minister has missed the point. How can firms provide that evidence until they have some material with which to show the customers that they have goods to sell?
§ Mr. BelcherIf the hon. Member means that they need material to make samples I suggest that in any case of difficulty of that kind he communicates with me, and I will see what can be done.