§ 23. Mr. Burkeasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is a shortage of children's gymnasium goloshes; and what steps are being taken to meet the demand.
§ Mr. DaltonI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Attercliffe (Mr. Hynd) on 7th November, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. BurkeIs the Minister aware that there are manufacturers with stocks of these things, which are held up—I can give him the names—and that they are being badgered by education authorities, but cannot release them?
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir. We have made provision, as I explained in my answer to the hon. Member for Attercliffe, for any education authority to get permits to enable them to obtain supplies. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any stocks held up, I will take steps to get them dispersed.
§ 27. Major McCallumasked the President of the Board of Trade if, when arranging the distribution of the new supply of children's Wellington boots to rural areas, he will ensure that the rural areas of the Scottish West Highlands and Islands are included in the distribution in view of the exceedingly wet climate there.
§ 35. Mr. Dribergasked the President of the Board of Trade how soon the new supplies of children's Wellington boots will be available in the shops; and approximately how many pairs of boots will be available in rural districts of the county of Essex.
§ 20. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Cookasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of rubber boots for Norfolk schoolchildren; and if he will take steps to improve the supply.
§ Mr. DaltonSome of these rubber boots should reach the shops before Christmas, 338 but I must repeat that the total supply is very small. I hope that each of the rural areas mentioned in these three Questions will receive its share.
Major MacCallumMay I ask the Minister if, in view of the exceptionally wet weather in Scotland, he could allot a slightly bigger proportion to these areas?
§ Mr. DaltonI am afraid that on grounds of rainfall there would be many applicants.
§ Mr. DribergWill there be, roughly, enough boots and shoes to go round and to provide one pair for each school child?
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir. I explained in reply to an earlier Question, that the supply is very small indeed, and I am giving preference to rural areas for that reason.
§ Mr. De ChairIs the Minister aware that Italian prisoners of war are arriving in Norfolk wearing good rubber boots, and would it not be preferable that these boots should be given to British agricultural workers?
§ Mr. DaltonThis is a Question about Wellington boots for children. In any case, the Italians are equipped, not by the Board of Trade, but by the War Office.
§ 36. Mr. Turtonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there exists a shortage of children's boots, sizes nine and 12, in the North Riding of Yorkshire; and whether he will take the necessary steps to secure that an adequate quantity is made available to this county.
§ Mr. DaltonIf my hon. Friend will let me know where this shortage is reported, I shall be glad to have local enquiries made.
§ Mr. TurtonIs my right hon. Friend aware that a shortage has occurred in the North Riding for the last 12 months, and that no action has been taken hitherto?
§ Mr. DaltonPerhaps my hon. Friend will tell me of individual areas in the North Riding.
§ Mr. ThorneCould the Minister give any reason why large sized boots, such as 10 and 11, are not being made? Why is it impossible for an hon. Member to buy a pair anywhere?
§ Mr. DaltonThe matter of sizes is determined by the manufacturers. We are responsible for the total allocation of leather, and they seek to allocate it between the sizes to meet public needs.