3. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Supply whether he will make a statement as regards the redundant supplies of conveyor belting which the Government are purchasing from the U.S.A. for the re-equipment of the mines and which is at the present time being stored as surplus to requirements; and whether he will consider utilising at home the high quality conveyor belting manufactured by one of the largest manufacturing concerns in the country who are at the present time finding difficulty in disposing of their output overseas.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussIf the hon. Member is referring to the purchases made by the National Coal Board, I would refer him to the reply given on 3rd June by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir J. Mellor). There is now no restriction on the supply of belting to home users.
Mr. De la BèreThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the Question. Is it not a fact that we have spent an enormous sum in dollars on conveyor belting which is not really required, and which could be produced at home? The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my Question; he has answered something entirely different?
§ Mr. StraussI have done nothing of the sort. The belting which has been bought will be used and, meanwhile, it is in stock.
Mr. De la BèreWhy should we buy an enormous quantity of belting which is not required? Why waste dollars? Why behave in this way?