LORD WALERANasked His Majesty's Government what steps have been taken during the past six months to make good the present shortage of heavy road making plant and what steps are to be taken in the near future in this connexion.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (VISCOUNT HALL)A substantial quantity of civil engineering equipment, including approximately 300 road rollers, 900 bulldozers or scrapers and 275 excavators, has been obtained from United Kingdom and United States Service surpluses. Arrangements have also been made for the release on loan of a proportion of the remaining holdings of the United Kingdom Forces to meet essential civil requirements. Efforts are being made to secure further supplies from United States Army surpluses arising in Europe.
The expansion of United Kingdom production has been encouraged by the allocation of resources, by the development of sub-contracting and by arrangements for the manufacture of certain components in Royal Ordnance Factories. Facilities have also been given for the manufacture in the United Kingdom of types of equipment not previously made here, and it is hoped that a number of these schemes will make an effective contribution during the coming year. Further schemes of a similar nature are in prospect.
Licences have been and are being freely granted for the import of equipment not at present available or short supply in this country and the possibility of securing additional supplies from Germany is under examination.