§ 19. Mr. Gallacherasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the exceptional circumstances which compel miners to have a working kit entirely distinct from their other clothes, he will exempt from rationing miners' moleskin trousers, pit boots and shirts?
§ 22. Mr. Woodburnasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulties being caused to ironmoulders by the curtailment, by coupons, of their supply of moleskin trousers; and whether he is prepared to make special arrangements for special clothes required for productive work?
28. Mr. Bernard Taylorasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will allow miners' working boots, clothes, helmets and safety gloves to be purchased without surrendering coupons?
§ Mr. LytteltonDiscussions are now proceeding with the Trades Union Congress about provision under the clothing rationing scheme for special occupational needs.
§ Mr. GallacherWill the right hon. Gentleman give particular attention to this matter, in view of the fact that these men have to have this special clothing?
§ Mr. LytteltonCertainly.
§ Mr. WoodburnWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether there is any likelihood of anybody wearing moleskin trousers for pleasure?
§ 20. Mr. Culverwellasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will allow the white drill coats used by medical and dental students, nurses, workers in laboratories, shop assistants and others to be sold without coupons?
§ Mr. LytteltonMy hon. Friend's suggestion is being considered as part of the general question of special occupational needs, on which discussions are proceeding.
§ Mr. CulverwellCannot special provision be made for these people?
§ Mr. LytteltonThe principle is agreed, but it is a question of securing a definition.
§ Mrs. HardieWill the President of the Board of Trade consider reducing the number of coupons for ladies' stockings which are part of a business woman's working clothes?
§ Mr. LytteltonThat hardly arises out of this Question.
§ 21. Mr. Mathersasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange for articles required by British prisoners of war to be purchased by their relatives without surrender of coupons, or for coupons for the purpose being supplied additionally upon application?
§ 24. Sir A. Knoxasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange to issue free coupons to enable relations to send clothing to prisoners of war in Germany?
§ 30. Sir William Davisonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the anxiety caused to the next of kin of prisoners of war in not being able to obtain coupons to send clothing to their relatives in prisoners of war camps; and whether he will make a statement on this matter, especially as the British Red Cross Society are unable to give any guidance to enquirers?
§ Mr. LytteltonI am glad to say that arrangements have been now made with the War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John to enable relatives and others to send clothing and footwear in their quarterly parcels to prisoners of war. The senders must use their own coupons, or those of their family, for the purchase of any new articles, but, on receipt of the parcels at the packing centre, coupons will be returned to them in replacement.
§ Sir W. DavisonWill leaflets be published showing exactly the procedure when an individual sends a parcel to a relative?
§ Mr. MathersWill the B.B.C. give publicity to this matter?
§ 23. Sir I. Alberyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to facilitate the renewal of uniform clothing by members of the mercantile marine, he 941 can arrange that the necessary coupons can be obtained through one of the ship's officers, in view of the limited amount of time and facilities often at the disposal of members of the mercantile marine?
§ Mr. LytteltonI am afraid that it would not be practicable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. Officers and men of the Merchant Navy can, however, get permits for clothing quickly and conveniently from the mercantile marine offices which are situated at all ports.
§ Mr. Benjamin SmithCannot the right hon. Gentleman see that there is some quicker method for issuing clothes to people who have lost their own clothes at sea? Is he aware that the amount of compensation granted will not be sufficient to recoup people who have lost clothes?
§ Mr. LytteltonThe machinery we have devised is the quickest possible, but if there are any special cases where the return of coupons has bean insufficient, I shall be glad to look into it.
§ 26. Colonel Sir A. Lambert Wardasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the arrangement whereby persons who have had articles of clothing destroyed by enemy action can replace those articles free of coupons is to be of universal application, or whether it is to be restricted to certain sections of the community?
§ Mr. LytteltonThe facilities for the supply of extra coupons to enable the replacement of essential clothing and footwear lost by enemy action are of general application.
29. Mr. Garyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will allow each person to buy, within a limited period of the next three months, one hard-wearing working suit or dress without the obligation of giving coupons in exchange?
§ Mr. LytteltonNo, Sir.