21. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Ian Fraserasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider improving the quality of the artificial silk stockings and other underwear at present on sale, which are of such flimsy quality as not to be worth the money or coupons required?
§ Mr. DaltonSpecifications for utility stockings have recently been more closely drawn, and new and improved types are now in production. Fully-fashioned rayon stockings were only manufactured in this country on a small scale before the war, the greater part of the supply being imported. As regards other underwear, I have received comparatively few criticisms, but I shall be glad to look into any particular case which my hon. and gallant Friend may care to send me.
§ Sir I. FraserWhen you are manufacturing a stocking you must use the minimum amount of labour and factory space. Would my right hon. Friend not consider whether the addition of stouter materials might not be more economical on wearing quality? Is he aware that the modern stocking will go into a spontaneous ladder if you merely wink at it?
§ Mr. DaltonMy lady friends keep me well informed on that matter. There are many legitimate complaints to be made against rayon stockings, but the reason, as I have indicated, is largely that before the war we did not produce many of these things; they were imported from abroad. My Department has been doing its utmost, with, I think, some success, to improve the qualities, and to get the kind of improvements which my hon. and gallant Friend suggests.