asked the President of the Board of Trade if he intends to continue with the re-allocation of Grantham Productions, Limited, to the Cotton Syndicate, in view of the fact that Mr. Westbrook has retired from the syndicate and will, therefore, not be available as managing director of the proposed new company.

It has been decided to withdraw this allocation.

Will the President of the Board of Trade set up an inquiry into how this procedure took place and how the original makers of the "people's car" were pushed out of business?

The original producers were not pushed out of business. They went into liquidation. The question then arose as to who should take the factory on and whether they should continue making cars. Various people came forward. The gentleman mentioned in the Question was one of them. It was found afterwards that he could not complete the transaction.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say what will now be done with the factory?

I cannot say until we get the fresh applications in after this application has been cancelled.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, before the reallocation of the factory site of Grantham Productions to the Cotton Syndicate, steps were taken by his Department to ensure either that prompt payment was made or adequate security given for the large sum of money owing by Grantham Productions for Income Tax.

No, Sir. The Revenue claim was left, as it should be left, to take its usual ranking among the genera] body of creditors.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say what amount is involved?

I am afraid that I could not without notice.

Can the President say how this company managed to retain £23,000 due to the Revenue in P.A.Y.E.?

I could not, because I do not know whether it is a fact.