§ 14. Sir W. Wakefieldasked the Minister of Supply what was the amount of the allocation of steel given for the manufacture of Hunslett locomotives ordered by the National Coal Board for underground operation.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussI regret that I cannot disclose details of allocations to particular manufacturers.
§ Sir W. WakefieldIs the Minister aware that this steel which is in such short supply is now being wasted; that these locomotives are lying idle; that they cannot be used and they cannot be exported because it is only possible to use them underground in this country? Why does the Minister allocate steel in this way, in view of the shortage in this country and the fact that it is so urgently needed for so many things?
§ Mr. StraussThere is a general shortage of steel. Many firms who require steel cannot get all they want.
§ Sir W. WakefieldThen why give it for useless projects like this?
§ 17. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the contribution made by the motor industry to the export trade, he will increase the next allocation of steel.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussI regret that it has not been possible to make more than a very small increase in the allocation of steel to the motor industry for the first period of 1949.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs my right hon. Friend aware that it is worth while cutting down less essential allocations for the purpose of giving even greater encouragement to an industry which is making such a notable contribution to our export drive?
§ Mr. StraussThe difficulty is to find those less essential products in which we could effect an economy.