§ 3. Mrs. Beatrice Wrightasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will provide special householders coupons for all types of towel?
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir; the ordinary clothing coupons are available for this purpose.
§ Mrs. WrightDoes not my right hon. Friend realise that the people of small means are at a great disadvantage, as they are not accustomed to keep large stocks in their homes? Should not the matter be looked into from that point of view?
§ Mr. DaltonI am anxious to make it as little difficult as possible, and for that reason we have advanced the release of the red coupons to 15th March from 1st April. It will, therefore, be possible for coupons to be drawn on rather more rapidly than they might otherwise have been. I would like to mention that the increase in the production of towels will, I hope, be of the order of 60 per cent. in view of shortages that have been revealed, but that, of course, is at the expense of other cotton goods.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister aware that coupons for towels must come off either the husband's clothing or the wife's clothing, and as the husband is reluctant to go short of clothing the woman has to go short to provide the house with towels. Why not have separate coupons for towels?
§ Mr. DaltonI hope there will be mutually agreeable arrangements made in the different households. We have endeavoured to assist them by pre-dating the next period.
§ Mrs. HardieWhy put obstacles in the way of people keeping themselves clean?