asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will be able to alleviate the present acute shortage of bicycle tyres and inner tubes.

Production 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.