asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that inability to procure pneumatic-tyred wheels for Fordson Major tractors is handicapping farmers in the matter of food production and is considerably reducing the national effort in that direction; and if he will take steps to have this position remedied at an early date.

I am aware that owing to shortages in exporting countries there is considerable difficulty in obtaining pneumatic-tyred wheels for Fordon Major tractors. Owing to the scarcity of rubber some of the tractors imported in the past few years were fitted with steel wheels; but tractors imported more recently have been fitted almost exclusively with pneumatic-tyred wheels. All possible steps are being taken to obtain pneumatic-tyred wheels for tractors but so long as the existing shortages prevail in supplying countries there appears to be little hope of obtaining our full requirements.