HC Deb 10 June 1941 vol 372 c8
8. Mr. R. J. Taylor

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that certain business firms in a mining area have been informed by their wholesaler that certain working clothes necessary to miners cannot be supplied before October as the quota has been supplied; and will he take steps to enlarge the quota of these necessary clothes?

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Lyttelton)

I was not aware that any difficulty existed over the supply of miners' working clothes, and under the Limitation of Supplies Orders many licences have been issued by my Department for clothes, such as pit drawers, to be supplied outside the home trade quota. This procedure is being continued.

Mr. Taylor

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the firm in question have been notified that they can have no further supply until October, as the quota has been exhausted; and is he aware that miners working in low seams, where it is wet working, wear out their stockings and drawers in no time, and that unless special steps are taken to meet this difficulty then the Questions which have just been addressed to my hon. Friend the Minister of Mines will be aggravated in another form?

Mr. Lyttelton

Yes, Sir, I am aware of that, and, as I have stated, the firm can get a licence outside the quota to make this clothing.

Mr. Lawson

Can the right hon. Gentleman take any steps himself directly to see that extra shoes, stockings and other necessary clothes are put into the mining areas? Is he aware that clothes are rotted by sweat in two or three days, and also by the wet, and that shoes will last no more than a few weeks in the mines?

Mr. Lyttelton

I am prepared to give these licences.