§ Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Minister of Supply what steps he proposes to take to prevent tyres in scrap piles being used for regeneration of rubber, which might be fit for repair and which, if used on spare wheels of vehicles now in use, would provide a get-you-home service and release good tyres, now on spare wheels, for more important use?
§ Mr. AsshetonOne of the purposes of the scheme for salvaging tyres and other scrap rubber through certified waste merchants with skill and experience in sorting and grading, is to secure that tyres suitable for repair or retreading shall be used in that way.
§ Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Minister of Supply (1) whether, in the national interest, he will appoint a tyre board on the lines of the Petroleum Board, and by pooling eliminate the competitive selling and advertising of all brands of new tyres, used tyres and retreads, especially as all new tyres will now be produced to standard specifications;
(2) whether, in view of the impending shortage of rubber for tyres, he will appoint a tyre distribution controller, with full powers, to ensure that the available supply of tyres is used to meet essential needs and permit the best use to be made of tyres on spare wheels of vehicles now in use and on all wheels of laid-up vehicles; whether he will indicate the number of tyres that could be made available from the latter and the steps he has in view for their control or acquisition?
§ Mr. AsshetonThe whole question of the organisation of the production and distribution of tyres is under active consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make a statement.