§ 110 and 111. Wing-Commander Roland Robinsonasked the Minister of Supply (1) whether he is aware that the Colonial tin mining industry is being seriously held up in its development by the delay in supplying machinery and in particular electrical machinery and motors; that the best delivery date for motors is over 80 weeks and that the period of delivery of large Diesel engines is three years; and what steps it is proposed to take to improve the position in this respect, having regard to the important dollar earning capacity of this Colonial industry;
(2) whether he can make a statement indicating how much of the mining equipment required for the rehabilitation of the tin mining industry of Malaya had been shipped from this country up to the end of September; and what proportion of the required equipment still remains to be despatched.
§ 115. Mr. Blackburnasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that orders for naming equipment required by the tin mining industry in Malaya to the value of 30W some £1½ million are still unfulfilled and that, in consequence, this industry is gravely handicapped in restoring its output to pre-war level and in increasing its dollar earning performance; and whether effective action will now be taken to accelerate the fulfilment of these orders.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussYes. I am aware that there are delays in the delivery of this machinery and equipment, but we are doing all we can to expedite deliveries. Up to the end of September about 50 per cent. of the machinery ordered had been shipped.