§ Mr. TOUCHEasked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that the importation of steel belt hooks for binding machinery belting is prohibited by the Board of Trade unless under licence; that fasteners knows as Alligator belt lacings are largely used in munition works, His Majesty's dockyards, and Government Departments for making joints in all kinds of machinery belting; that belts are specially made by British belting firms to suit these fasteners and, if they have to be altered, it will, in many cases, involve loss of time in the manufacture of munitions; that firms engaged in war work have represented that the demand for these fasteners for joining belts driving shell-making and other machinery is urgent; that nothing similar is made in England, and that the only means by which they can be obtained is by importation from America; that the grant of a licence to import a monthly supply of these goods has been refused to a British firm of thirty years' standing who were formerly the sole importers, and of whose customers upwards of 90 per cent. are munition works or controlled establishments; that, as little stock is in the country, the result of this refusal may be serious; that the firm are making arrangements to manufacture in England but it will take some time before they can do so to the extent required, and in the meantime work may be stopped or hindered; that the fasteners have been specified and ordered for the new caterpillars and cannot be supplied; whether, as the refusal to grant licences may delay, directly or indirectly, the output of munitions, he will 446W take steps to provide for the admission of these fasteners, notwithstanding that they may represent a few tons a month in. shipping freight; and will he say whether any other firm has been granted a licence to import belt fasteners?
§ Mr. PRETYMANMy right hon. Friend-has asked me to answer this question. So far as these belt hooks are capable of being classified as wire manufactures, they are covered by the general licence which has-been issued in respect of manufactures of wire. For the rest, the Department of Import Restrictions is now giving licences in all cases where the belt fastenings are unobtainable in this country.