§ 36. Mr. Burkeasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the advisability of granting a licence for the manufacture of gas-heated wash-boilers in view of the fact that laundries cannot accept further work which necessitates more washing to be done at home, and in view of the fact that boilers installed many years ago now require renewal?
§ Mr. DaltonThe manufacture of gas-heated wash-boilers would involve the withdrawal of large numbers of engineering workers from war-work, and the use of considerable quantities of scarce materials needed to make arms. I regret, therefore, that no licences for new manufacture can be granted at present.
§ Mr. BurkeIs my right hon. Friend aware that at least one firm which has been in touch with his Department had the means of manufacturing these boilers for which there is a real demand without calling upon extra man-power or further supplies of material?
§ Mr. DaltonA great deal of copper and zinc is required, and we want it for making arms. If my hon. Friend sends me particulars of the cases referred to I will look into them.