§ 2.40 p.m.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether they can now state the number of omnibuses or omnibus chassis for use in the United Kingdom which can be manufactured during 1948 in order to avoid conditions in this industry becoming absolutely chaotic, resulting in the discharge of workers, closing down of factories, rising costs of manufacture and consequent loss of orders for export.]
102§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (VISCOUNT HALL)My Lords, as announced in the White Paper on Capital Investment in 1948, the number of omnibuses to be supplied to the home market this year will be limited to 6,000. As I stated in my reply to the noble Earl on February 10, the problems involved have recently been considered as a matter of urgency by my right honourable friends the Ministers of Transport and Supply. Decisions have now been reached, and individual manufacturers will shortly be informed of their detailed programme.
§ EARL HOWEMay I ask the noble Viscount whether he is aware that the steel allocation for this industry amounts to 46.5 per cent. of its present actual production?
§ VISCOUNT HALLAs is the case in the allocation of steel for all industries, the allocation of steel for this industry has been a matter of serious consideration by His Majesty's Government. I regret to say that this is not the only industry which is suffering as a result of a reduction in the steel allocation.