§ Lieut.-Colonel Sharpasked the Minister of Supply what action he is taking to increase the production of electric motors and when such action is likely to be effective.
§ Mr. WilmotEvery encouragement has been given to the electric motor industry to increase production by the allocation of resources for expanding capacity, including factories in development areas, by securing a high preference for labour requirements, by arrangements for the protection of skilled workers from call-up, and by assistance in the provision of raw materials. Manufacturing capacity is increasing and will continue to increase during 1947, but unfortunately the shortage of materials, particularly electrical sheet, is at present preventing its full exploitation. We are doing all we can to increase supplies, but it is not possible to say when these measures will be fully effective.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sharpasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the handicap suffered by machine-tool makers in their attempt to increase production as a result of the shortage of electric motors; and whether he will arrange for an increased allocation of electric motors to be made to machine-tool makers.
§ Mr. WilmotThe shortage of electric motors is unfortunately affecting a number of other important industries as well as the machine tool industry. There is no system of Government allocation of electric motors of less than 1,000 h.p., and I do not consider that any such system is practicable. The solution lies in increasing the total production of electric motors and we are doing all we can.