§ 14. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a boy's school outfit requires 200 coupons which, in most cases, it is quite impossible to provide; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this anomaly?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Waterhouse)I would refer the hon. Member to the Reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Mr. Pearson) on 18th June.
§ Mr. EdwardsWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman not say what steps he will take to deal with this? The Answer referred to does not state what steps are being taken.
§ Captain WaterhouseIt is hoped that schools will modify their, in many cases, unreasonable requirements to bring them into line with present possibilities.
§ Mr. EdwardsDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman not realise that whatever modifications are made, there will still be a shortage of coupons for children going to school?
§ Captain WaterhouseAlready small children get an advantage in the list which has been issued, and there will be special provision made for growing children, but we do not contemplate provision for large school outfits.
§ Sir Joseph LambCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman say what children are not growing?
§ 23. Mr. Henry Straussasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any decision has yet been arrived at with regard to an extra issue of clothing coupons to expectant mothers to meet their special needs for knitting wool and other materials?
§ Captain WaterhouseYes, Sir. The Board of Trade, in consultation with the Ministry of Health, the Scottish Department of Health and the Northern Ireland Ministry of Home Affairs have secured the co-operation of the local authorities for maternity and child welfare in issuing a special allowance of 50 coupons to expectant mothers. The scheme will come into force on 5th August, and full details will be published in the Press to-morrow.