§ 24. Miss Herbisonasked the President of the Board of Trade when he will give a considered reply to the Federation of Manufacturers of Contractors' Plant on the licensing position of two-wheeled tractors.
§ Sir D. EcclesA reply was sent to the Federation last week.
§ Miss HerbisonHaving examined the evidence that was brought before him, is the President aware that there is a gross wastage of dollars caused by his Department issuing a much-increased number of licences in September, and only in October going to the firm in the new Development Area in Scotland to find out whether or not it could provide these tractors.
§ Sir D. EcclesI cannot agree with the hon. Lady. I think that it is very necessary to have continuity of delivery of these tractors. As the firm in question was not expected to produce until October, the grant of licences early in September seems to be reasonable. No licences were granted after early September. We have, in fact, had nineteen applications, and all the applicants have been told to go to the firm in which the hon. Lady is interested.
§ Miss HerbisonIs it not the case that these licences that were granted have not now been tied to firm orders, as we were told; and that already there have been 189 advertisements to say that these machines from America are in stock, and can be sold?
§ Sir D. EcclesMy information is that the machines were imported before those relating to these forty-six licences.