§ Mr. MacVEAGHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that motor manufacturers in this country, whilst supplying the Government with commercial vehicles on the basis of supplies being stopped at six weeks' notice, are under restrictions as to the sale of the surplus material thus left on their hands; whether he is aware that foreign firms are not placed under any such restrictions; and whether steps will at once be taken to remove the penalising restrictions so as to leave the Home manufacturer unfettered as to the surplus?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. In the case of firms whose output is controlled, the surplus of commercial motor vehicles, after the war requirements of the Government have been supplied, is available for private customers, subject to the approval2000W of the War Office or the Ministry of Munitions, who endeavour to arrange that commercial motor vehicles shall be released to applicant firms in their order of importance for munition and national purposes. The suggestion made by the hon. Member in the latter part of the question will be considered, but owing to the many important issues involved, it is not possible to give any undertaking at present.