§ 41. Mr. Higgsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory position with regard to the production of utility furniture; and what steps he intends to take in order to accelerate supplies to satisfy the demand?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Waterhouse)Substantial quantities of utility furniture are now being made. My right hon. Friend is taking all possible steps to expedite production, but for some time at least the demand is bound to exceed the supply.
§ Mr. HiggsIs the Minister aware that at the end of January there was no designated firm in the Midlands zone for the 892 manufacture of utility kitchen furniture, and does he consider that progress is being made when that is the state of affairs?
§ Captain WaterhouseThe whole of this procedure has been drawn up with the idea of providing for an adequate quantity of furniture to be made in all the districts in so far as materials are available.
§ Mr. HoldsworthMay I ask whether arrangements can be made so that a customer can see what it is he is actually buying, rather than having to buy from a catalogue, which is very unsatisfactory?
§ Captain WaterhouseThat may eventually be possible, but for the moment stocks are so short that we want to get all the furniture we can into the hands of the people who need it.