asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that lack of carbon black is creating a tyre shortage which in turn affects industrial and other transportation, he will consider making a full statement on the situation.

I am glad to say that the production of tyres is not at present being affected by lack of carbon black. A mission which went to the United States in May succeeded in securing increased shipments and, as a result, consumption of rubber by United Kingdom manufacturers during September was the highest yet recorded. This is reflected in a record production of giant tyres during that month. Stocks of carbon black have been increasing. Estimated deliveries for the immediate future are not so good as in recent months but our representatives in the United States are taking active steps to improve the position.

While I agree that the situation has cleared up, would the Minister say what steps he is taking to get carbon black outside the dollar area?

I hope the hon. Gentleman will not press me on that. I believe he is aware of the steps that are being taken, and, in view of the fact that we are at present negotiating with the United States, it would be wrong for him to ask, or for me to reply in detail, about the steps that are being taken. I hope he will accept my assurance that we are taking all the steps possible.

As I have already asked on a previous occasion, are the Government aware that some people in America are very anxious to know whether we are going to enter into competition with then-monopoly in carbon black, and that many people are asking questions about it in order to pass on the information?