§ 2. Mr. ROWLANDSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there are still complaints of a great shortage of matches in Kent, especially in the district of the Crays; whether he is aware of the increase of the population on account of the large amount of national work being done in the county and the military hospitals which have been erected; and will he state what action he proposes to take?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir A. Stanley)No complaints have reached the Matches Control Board of any shortage in Kent for some considerable time. The supplies which are being delivered into the county have been, and continue to be, in excess of the quantity estimated to be necessary for the requirements of the normal population, special provision having been made some time ago for the influx of workers into certain parts of the county. The Crays district is receiving increased allotments owing to the increase in the population engaged on national work. This district is also served by wholesale distributors in the neighbouring towns, who are receiving their full proportion, and small retailers should not experience any difficulty in obtaining their supplies. Adequate supplies are always granted to military hospitals if application is made to the Match Control Office, Salisbury House, Finsbury Circus, London, E.C. 2.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that whether they have been received or not, complaints are being made, especially from the Crays; and, in calculating the extra population, have the Department considered right throughout the whole of Kent the enormous number of new works down the further end, the huge number of places occupied there, and also the number of hospitals?
§ Sir A. STANLEYThe reply indicates that the Matches Control Board have given consideration to that point, but I will look further into it.