HC Deb 11 September 1942 vol 383 cc505-6
17. Mr. Colman

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from leading tailoring organisations in the country urging that, in view of the world-wide reputation of British clothing, some facilities for the maintenance of individual bespoke tailoring should be afforded; and whether he can give any reassurances on the point?

Captain Waterhouse

Some of the leading tailoring organisations have recently made representations to my right hon. Friend. As my right hon. Friend said in this House on 23rd July, there is no prospect of the production of cloth and clothing being confined to utility specifications. I can give the assurance that for the present a considerable quantity of non-utility cloth will continue to be made, subject always to the limits imposed by raw material supply and manufacturing capacity.

Sir Patrick Hannon

May I ask my hon. and gallant Friend what policy the Board of Trade has in this matter, which concerns the preservation of the craftsmanship of this country, and what reply has been made to the representations on this important subject, in which the livelihood of vast numbers of people is involved?

Captain Waterhouse

The policy of the Board of Trade is to keep alive all traders whom it is possible to keep alive in view of the exigencies of the war.

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