§ Brigadier-General Clifton Brownasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that serious delays of six months or more in getting spare parts for agricultural tractors and machinery is resulting in loss of food production; and whether he will take steps now to procure sufficient spare parts 46W for International and other tractors before the autumn ploughing season begins?
Mr. HudsonI have been asked to reply. I am assured by the tractor distributors that it is only in isolated instances that International tractors have been held up for want of spare parts. It has always been my policy to give priority to spare parts over new machinery, both in respect of tonnage for imports and home manufacture. I should be grateful to the hon. and gallant Member if he will report to me any case in which agricultural tractors or other machinery have been held up for six months or more for getting spare parts.