§ 64. Mr. Kirbyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the inhabitants of Liverpool are unable to obtain tea kettles owing to shortage of supply; and, as many householders are 1061 now without kettles, will he take steps to ensure that retail sales and purchases of kettles will be made possible in this district at an early date?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Waterhouse)I am aware that there is a shortage of kettles at the present time, and steps are being taken to increase supplies by eliminating the production of less essential articles. Manufacturers have agreed to increase their present output for the domestic market by one third, but I must emphasise that such manufacture competes directly with war production and supplies cannot therefore be increased beyond a certain level.
Viscountess AstorWould it not be in the public interest if the Government increased the supply of tea kettles instead of beer bottles?