§ Mr. Ammonasked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the proposal to establish an automobile industry in India under American auspices and funded by American capital, he is prepared to reconsider his decision not to consent to consider the establishment of such an industry under Indian auspices as a war effort, and to permit the necessary dollar exchange facilities and grant of priorities?
§ Mr. AmeryI presume that the hon. Member is referring to the plant which the United States authorities are to establish and operate in India on a lend-lease basis. The purpose of this is solely to enable supplies from America to ourselves and Russia to be effectively used, and the manufacture of trucks, as distinct from their assembly and repair, is not in view. Thus in no sense can it be regarded as amounting to the establishment of an automobile industry, and it has no bearing on the matter referred to in the latter part of the Question. There are, of course, already several assembly plants in India.