§ 29. Mr. Peter Robertsasked the President of the Board of Trade how many excavators under one yard capacity have been imported from the United States of America and Canada, respectively, during the last 12 months.
§ Mr. H. WilsonI regret that the desired information is not available, as excavators under one yard capacity are not separately recorded in the trade accounts.
§ Mr. RobertsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of excavators of this kind were imported for dollars, that they are available in this country at the present time, and that the action of his Department is not helping our dollar position? May I have an answer to my question? If I cannot have an answer, I shall have to ask leave to raise the matter on the Adjournment, as it is a question of vital importance.
§ Mr. WilsonI have said that it is not possible to say how many have come into the country. The only ones we know anything about are those bought by the Ministry of Works some two years ago, which came to this country before our production increased.