§ 7. Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Minister of Labour when the various schemes for the allocation of raw materials between the Supply, Service and Civil Departments were instituted; and what materials are covered by allocation?
§ Mr. BevinAll essential materials came under control immediately on the outbreak of war, and restrictions prohibiting non-essential uses were imposed wherever it appeared expedient to conserve supplies. The first allocation of raw material between the Supply, Service and Civil Departments took effect in October, 1939, and periodic allocations of other materials in sort supply have been made since that date as circumstances required. This system is applied to steel, including sub-allocations of particular kinds, timber (softwoods and hardwoods), cotton, flax, hemp, jute, paper, paper board, and leather. The allocations are made under the authority of the Production Executive. The actual work of allocation is done by an inter-departmental committee, over which my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport has presided continuously since the outbreak of war.