§ 7. Mr. Edelmanasked the President of the Board of Trade what advice he has given the motor industry in connection with its difficulties arising from the international situation generally, and the diminution of petrol supplies in particular.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI am aware of the present difficulties of the motor industry, which arise from a number of causes, of which the diminution of petrol supplies is so far probably one of the less important. I am confident that, like industry generally, it will do its best to minimise the effect of the present difficulties upon production and employment. The services of my Department are, of course, available to the industry.
§ Mr. EdelmanWill the President of the Board of Trade bear in mind that what he describes rather complacently as one of the less important causes of the industry's difficulties is likely to increase with time, in regard not only to the home market but also to Western Europe, where most of those exports go? May I ask him, therefore, if the Government will call a conference of representatives of the employers and trade unions to discuss what methods can be used to deal with the gathering crisis?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe hon. Gentleman is quite right in saying that the difficulties would, with time, grow on the petrol side but, as he knows, there is 1909 advisory machinery, including both employers and trade unions, available for the purpose of consultation.