§ Major Milnerasked the Minister of Production whether, having regard to the stringent restrictions now being imposed on road transport by regional transport commissioners on the ground of the necessity to conserve rubber, he will state the true position regarding the country's rubber supply and the steps being taken to meet it?
§ Mr. Garro JonesAs is well known, many of the normal sources of natural rubber are now closed to us. No efforts are being spared to exploit to the full all accessible sources of plantation and wild rubber but, to balance the minimum requirements, there must be a drawing upon stocks until synthetic rubber becomes available in quantity from the U.S.A. The utmost economy in use is therefore necessary. This is achieved both by prohibition of manufacture of non-essentials, alteration of specifications and increased 2123W use of reclaimed rubber and substitute materials. Economy in the use of tyres and other rubber manufacture both by the Services and the civil population is being secured by all practicable methods.