HC Deb 15 December 1947 vol 445 cc288-9W
119. Mr. Edelman

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will make a statement concerning his discussions with the motor industry on the amount of steel to be made available to it during the first six months of 1948.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

This matter was discussed at a recent meeting of the National Advisory Council for the Motor Industry. In their view, the allocation of steel, which is being made to the motor manufacturing industry for the first six months of 1948, and which represents an increase on the allocation for this quarter, should enable the industry to approach the mid-1948 target for cars. On commercial vehicles, there might be a shortfall on the target, the amount of which cannot yet be assessed. No statement can be made at this stage about the availability of the additional steel necessary for the end-1948 targets.