§ 64. Major Bruceasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Portsmouth factory in the ownership of Messrs. R. K. Dundas, Limited, formerly engaged in the production of cycles for the export market, has not been operating since 6th May last; and why his Department declines to use its powers of requisition contained in Defence Regulation 51 and effective by virtue of the Supplies and Services (Transitional Powers) Act, 1945, and the 108W Supplies and Services (Extended Purposes) Act, 1947.
§ Mr. J. EdwardsThe answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes." With regard to the second part, requisitioning under existing powers, even if this course were otherwise desirable, would not provide a satisfactory basis for any arrangement for production by a private firm, since no security of tenure could be given beyond the year 1952.