§ 71. Brigadier Petoasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the demand for more tractors and other farm machinery to be allocated to the home market; and whether, in view of the necessity of speeding up home production, he is prepared to cut exports to meet this demand during the next six months.
§ 67. Mr. Lambertasked the President of the Board of Trade whether in view of the arrears in spring cultivation and the shortage of both agricultural machinery and spare parts, he will prohibit the export of agricultural machinery until the end of April.
§ Sir S. CrippsI have already agreed to arrangements which are being made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries to meet the exceptional needs arising out of the present emergency. Leading manufacturers of agricultural machinery in shortest supply are giving the greatest assistance possible to the home market by diversions from export up to the end of April.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIs it a fact that we are now exporting twice as many agricultural tractors as we did during 1938, especially last year when the need at home was so great?
§ Sir S. CrippsI would require notice of that question.