HC Deb 20 April 1943 vol 388 cc1515-6
16. Mr. Mathers

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the large user of clothing coupons to provide for babies and children of tender years, he will institute a separate and more generous coupon issue for their benefit and restricted accordingly?

Mr. Dalton

Children already have a separate ration book; and I do not think that the present ration is ungenerous, having regard to the ever-increasing shortage of supplies.

Captain Godfrey Nicholson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great hardship suffered by fathers, who find that their coupons are all taken away?

Mr. Mathers

Does not this question show the need for further ingenuity to meet what is undoubtedly a very difficult position? Will my right hon. Friend apply his mind to it?

Mr. Dalton

Yes, Sir. I am endeavouring to apply my mind to a number of these problems, with the assistance of the House. I will not give my hon. Friend details now, because I am sure he knows the provision which has been made for children and expectant mothers—entitlement to 60 coupons and to supplementary coupons and the down-pointing of many children's garments, deliberately, in order to make the ration go farther. I think my hon. Friend realises that that is not ungenerous.

Sir H. Williams

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that no married man has ever seen a clothing coupon?