§ 19. Sir J. D. REESasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the Army Council has prohibited the sale of women's boots which measure more than 7 in. in height if of leather, or 8 in. in height if of other material; and, if so, whether the Order will be so far modified as to allow of the disposal of such boots when already manufactured and in stock prior to some date to be fixed, in order to prevent waste of goods and money; and whether he is aware that relaxation of the Order for June and July only will be of little use as such boots are chiefly worn in spring and winter?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, except in so far as it concerns boots essential for industrial or occupational purposes. In order effectively to ensure that manufacture stops it is necessary also that the sale of such boots retail shall be regulated.
It appears that high-leg boots for women are manufactured in qualities suitable for the various seasons. The Department has arranged to give retailers the opportunity of selling their existing stock during June and July, as the result of the representations that have been made to them that quantities of the goods in question are only suitable for summer wear, and were not, therefore, disposed of in the very heavy sales that took place immediately prior to the Order becoming operative on 1st February. It is not anticipated that after the end of July any appreciable quantities of these boots will be held in stock.
§ Sir J. D. REESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these, boots are particularly comforting in the winter, and that there will be left on the hands of numbers of perfectly innocent tradesmen large stocks, unless he can see his way to the relaxation of the Order in the direction indicated?
§ Mr. FORSTERMy information does not coincide with that of the hon. Gentleman, as I have pointed out in the answer I have given.