asked the Minister for Supplies if he is now in a position to give any indication of an early increase in the facilities for additional hackney motor cars in the country.

There has been no development in the petrol supply position which would justify me in expressing the hope of an early improvement in hackney car facilities.

asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state if it is the intention of his Department to issue additional motor hackney permits; and, if so, the approximate date on which these permits will be issued.

The present petrol supply position does not permit of any departure from the existing policy regarding the grant of permits for hackney vehicles. I am not in a position to state when it may be possible to alter the policy.

While there is no visible improvement in the petrol supply, is the rubber tyre situation as acute or more acute than it has been heretofore?

There has been no change in that position.