2. Dr. Russell Thomasasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to ensure an adequate supply of boot polish, in view of the necessity to preserve leather?
§ Mr. DaltonOwing to shortage of raw material, the supply of all polishes containing wax has been restricted. But the output of boot polish is still 80 per cent. of the pre-war quantity, and there are also, of course, other materials which can be used for preserving leather.
Dr. ThomasIs my right hon. Friend aware that in some places it is almost impossible to obtain boot and shoe polish, and what is the good of putting advertisements in sundry papers and asking people to preserve leather by using polish if they cannot get it?
§ Mr. DaltonI have had no such complaint. If my hon. Friend will be kind enough to pass on to me any complaint he has had, we will see whether, by redistributing the very considerable quantities of boot polish now being produced, we can assist him.