11. Mr. Walter-Fletcherasked the President of the Board of Trade the 572 respective totals of tyres on new vehicles, and not on vehicles, exported from this country to sterling areas and to non-sterling areas in the two periods January to December, 1946, and January to 30th June, 1947.
§ Sir S. CrippsExports of new motor cars and commercial vehicles in 1946 numbered 47,000 to sterling countries and 47,600 to non-sterling countries, and from January to May, 1947, 26,100 and 23,400 respectively. No record is kept of the number of tyres exported on these vehicles. The number of pneumatic tyres for such vehicles and for tractors exported in 1946 otherwise than on vehicles was 364,000 to sterling and 481,000 to non-sterling countries and in the first five months of 1947, 192,000 and 238,000.
Mr. FletcherIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman satisfied with the 50 per cent. sale of tyres to non-hard currency countries? Could he not see that more tyres are exported to hard currency countries, in view of the sacrifice that the export of these tyres entails to this country?
§ Sir S. CrippsWe send as many as we can to hard currency countries.
§ Captain John CrowderWill the President of the Board of Trade bear in mind that many vehicles have had to be taken off the roads because of the tyre shortage in this country, and would he be prepared to look at particulars from lorry owners who have very serious complaints to make?
§ Sir S. CrippsCertainly, Sir. We do not allocate these tyres. It is a matter for the tyre manufacturers. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will send me particulars, I will look at them.
§ 16. Mr. W. Fletcherasked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of tyres for aircraft and motor vehicles of all sorts which have been imported into this country from Norway and other countries.
§ Sir S. CrippsIn the first five months of this year a total of 3,068 tyres were imported, of which 85 were for aircraft. The only importation from Norway was one aircraft tyre.
§ Mr. FletcherIn view of the fact that the President of the Board of Trade has just given very large figures for the ex- 573 port of tyres, can he explain how it is that we should then import them? Has not that rather an "Alice in Wonderland" air about it?
§ Sir S. CrippsNot necessarily. They may be special tyres for special types.