asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the average period which elapses between the placing with retailers of orders for tyres and delivery.

I am not in possession of this information. There are, of course, many types of tyres and many sizes within the types. Some can be supplied promptly and others, such as semi-obsolete or unusual sizes, may be subject to many months' delay.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of tyres of all grades which have been produced in the tyre manufacturing industry since May, 1947; and the number which it is estimated would have been produced had there been no shortage of raw materials and the industry had been working full time.

The number of new covers produced during June, 1947, was motor car 438,940, commercial vehicle 176,722, tractor and dumper 29,611, motor cycle 44,107, bicycle 1,152,136 and other 65,259. These figures show a marked increase over the figures for recent months, but I am not in a position to say what they might have been in the circumstances indicated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange that commercial travellers holding S petrol coupons will in future be able to obtain motor car tyres without a permit.

This will be considered as soon as the tyre supply position permits.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many tyres of all types were on order on 1st July, 1947, in the essential category, which have not yet been delivered.

This information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present monthly production of motor cycle tyres of sizes 4 × 19 and 3.5 × 19; whether this production is allocated to licensed dealers; and whether the price to the public is controlled.

Figures of production of individual sizes of motor cycle tyres are not available. There is no system of licensing for the distribution of motor cycle tyres and no statutory control over prices or distribution.