§ Mr. Collinsasked the President of the Board of Trade when he will be able to alleviate the present acute shortage of bicycle tyres and inner tubes.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithProduction in the United Kingdom is limited primarily by a shortage of labour in the tyre industry. There is a world-wide shortage, and we are under an obligation also to contribute to the essential requirements of the Empire and our Allies whose territories were over-run by the enemy and whose needs are most urgent and vital. In these circumstances, I cannot hold out any immediate prospect of a substantial increase in supplies at home. There should, however, be a steady improvement in production, and I am hopeful that the shortage will be considerably eased early next year.