HC Deb 05 July 1948 vol 453 c30
60. Mr. Edgar Granville

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give the amount in imports of agricultural tractors and machinery from U.S. and Canada for the years 1938 and 1947.

Mr. G. Brown

In 1938, the imports from U.S.A. and Canada amounted to 11,683 tons, the value of which was £905,966. In 1947, the tonnage was 21,758 and the value £4,347,299.

Mr. Granville

In view of the fact that there may be fewer dollars available for these purchases in future, will the Parliamentary Secretary investigate the possibilities of producing more of this equipment, either by our own manufacturers, or by American firms in this country under licence?

Mr. Brown

A good deal of this equipment is coming into production here, which until this year had to be imported.