HC Deb 26 January 1943 vol 386 cc339-40
10. Mr. Gallacher

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the resolution of the Scottish Co-operative Women's Guild, Section VII, sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, demanding the issue of household coupons to cover the purchase of essential household linen; and what steps he is prepared to take to meet this demand?

16. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider instituting a book of household coupons for the replacement of household effects to be made up from the clothing coupons of the household affected, each book to hold a maximum of 12 coupons per six-monthly period?

Mr. Dalton

As I have previously explained to the House, the only essential household goods subject to coupon are towels and tea-cloths. In view of the great and increasing stringency of supplies, I regret that I cannot issue extra coupons for these articles. The proposal for special ration books for household goods would not, I am afraid, be administratively practicable, but, apart from this, the additional labour involved in producing and distributing such books could not be justified.

Mr. Gallacher

Will not the Minister consider issuing separate coupons for domestic facilities apart from personal coupons, in order to ensure a fair system of rationing of various kinds of goods among different people in the homes?

Mr. Dalton

I have considered this matter very carefully, and I am afraid there are great administrative difficulties to that particular form of procedure. The more helpful way, which I have told the House I am pursuing, is to get an increase in the output of towels, and as that proceeds I hope that we shall get over the difficulties that now confront us.

Sir T. Moore

Will the Minister always bear in mind the very severe strain on housewives in these matters, and will he and his Department not use imagination in trying to solve these problems?

Mr. Dalton

I am afraid that imagination alone will not produce an increased supply. We must produce it by other means.

Mr. Thorne

Is the Minister aware of the very high prices now being charged for tablecloths?

Mr. Dalton

That is another question.