§ Sir R. Glynasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that under existing regulations, licences have to be obtained for the purchase of all spare parts required for International tractors; and whether, in view of the large number of these machines performing heavy duty at the present time, he will consider the advisability, in consultation with the Treasury and other Departments, of waiving the need for obtaining licences which at present are divided on an equal basis spread over a year, it being forbidden that in any one quarter of the year the laid down quota shall be exceeded, in view of the importance of doing everything to keep these machines in service rather than permit licensing regulations to jeopardise the agricultural expansion programme?
§ Sir A. DuncanI have been asked to reply. I am not prepared to make an exception, in the case of spare parts for International tractors, to the general rule that licences are necessary for the import of all kinds of machinery and parts of machinery. Owing to exchange difficulties, it is necessary to regulate the rate of import of the spare parts, but the control is not being applied rigidly. Licences for these spares have been issued during the last six months to a value exceeding that of the imports during the whole of the previous year.
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§ Sir R. Glynasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that there are in use in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland between 10,000 and 12,000 International tractors; that users of this type of tractor are anxious to purchase replacements; that already orders for hundreds have been placed but that, owing to the necessity for obtaining licences and the exchange difficulties, farmers who consider this type of machine most suitable for their land are unable to obtain this essential machinery; and whether he will immediately review the position in order that some arrangement may be made with the International Harvester Company so as to overcome the difficulties of the sterling and dollar exchange?
§ Sir A. DuncanI have been asked to reply. I agree with my hon. and gallant Friend that the import licensing system should not be applied to tractors in a way that would hamper necessary agricultural development, but I cannot accept the suggestion that it is having that effect. My Department is in close consultation on all these matters with the Ministry of Agriculture. I would add that the objects which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind will be assisted by arrangements about to be made for the issue, subject to certain conditions, of licences under Section 10 of the Finance Act, 1932, to relieve track laying tractors imported for agricultural use from customs duty.