asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is in a position to state how many applications he has received since the end of the European war for permits to purchase new motor-cars; how many permits have been issued; what is the present rate of delivery of new motor-cars for the home market; and what steps he is taking to accelerate it.

Over 33,000 applications for licences to acquire new motor-cars have been received;8,000 licences have been issued and about 1,700 cars have been notified by the manufacturers as having been delivered. The programme of production authorised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and Aircraft Production provides for avery considerable increase as rapidly as the manufacturers can achieve it.

asked the Minister of War Transport what conditions govern the grant of permits to purchase reconditioned cars; what is the present output; and whether the supply can be increased.

:Owing to the heavy demand and the small number available it has become necessary to restrict the issue of permits to purchase reconditioned cars to nurses, midwives and badly disabled ex-Servicemen who need a car to follow an occupation. The number of these cars available during the six months ended 30th September was 405. I am informed by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for War and the Minister of Supply and Aircraft Production that there is little likelihood of any material increase in the near future.