§ Sir J. Lambasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that an application made by the Kent County 183W Council on 23rd March, 1944, for a licence to purchase punched card office machinery urgently needed by them for work of public importance was refused by the Board of Trade on 5th July, 1944, despite the ability and willingness of the manufacturers to supply it; and whether he will now reconsider the position.
§ Captain WaterhouseService requirements of great urgency are such that few machines can be licensed to meet civil requirements. Although the manufacturers in this case were willing to supply, their production must be reserved at present for unsatisfied applications of greater priority than that of the Kent County Council. This application will, however, be borne in mind with a view to authorisation as soon as possible.