HC Deb 19 November 1951 vol 494 cc10-1
20. Miss Elaine Burton

asked the Minister of Supply if the 4,000 new cars about to be re-imported into this country are to be re-exported or to remain in the home market.

Mr. Sandys

It is for the manufacturers to decide where they will sell the cars which they re-import into this country.

Miss Burton

Although we make cars in Coventry we have very large waiting lists for them, and I wonder if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that many on those lists have written to me asking if these cars could first of all be offered to people whose names have been down since 1946 or earlier? Would it be possible to look into that matter?

Mr. Sandys

I know the manufacturers have agreed among themselves to see what can be done with a view to seeing that urgent cases are dealt with first. The question of how these re-imported cars are to be dealt with is not a special problem. They will be dealt with like any other cars, and will, of course, count against the home quota of the manufacturers.

Miss Burton

By the word "urgent," does the right hon. Gentleman mean the people whose needs seem to be the most urgent, or those who have had their names down longest?

Mr. Sandys

There are certain classes of people, such as doctors, midwives, and other categories of that kind, whose needs are regarded as particularly urgent.