§ 59. Mr. Daggarasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the communication from the Abertillery Education Committee regarding the lack of adequate footwear and leather to effect repairs in the case of schoolchildren; and if he will state the nature of his reply.
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir. I have informed the Abertillery Education Committee of the steps which I have taken to improve the production of children's footwear and the supply of materials for repairs, and have also instructed one of my officers to investigate on the spot whether Abertillery is receiving its fair share of total supplies.
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesAs my right hon. Friend has been good enough to look into each case as it arises—he has done so in the cases I have raised with him—is it not possible for him to take a national view, in seeing that the children get proper footwear?
§ Mr. DaltonI have answered a number of Questions on this subject. If my hon. Friend cares to put down another on a national basis, I will answer it. We have, as I have already stated, greatly increased the supply of footwear for children deliberately at the expense of adult footwear and I ask for the support of the House on that.
§ Colonel Sir A. Lambert WardCan the right hon. Gentleman do anything to improve the quality of this footwear?
§ Mr. DaltonI have already told the House that, since 1st November, every pair of shoes has to be stamped with the name of the maker. If I find anyone making shoddy footwear, I will stop his leather supplies.