HC Deb 15 February 1944 vol 397 cc19-21
38 and 39. Mr. Lipson

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will replace the coupons surrendered by traders, when they purchased men's austerity clothing, in those instances where the changes recently announced by him have left traders with stocks of these articles which are unsaleable;

(2) if he consulted representatives of the National Association of Outfitters before he announced the recent changes in men's austerity clothing so that traders would not be left, without due notice, with stocks of goods which have lost their popular appeal and are unsaleable.

40. Mr. Colegate

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the change in regard to austerity styles of clothing for men at such short notice places traders in a serious position in regard to their stocks of these goods; and whether he has any proposals to make to facilitate disposal of such stocks.

41. Colonel Greenwell

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he proposes to make any provision for retailers of clothing to maintain their stocks in view of the handicap such firms or persons are now under due to the reduction in coupon value of utility clothing.

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Dalton)

These clothes are not unsaleable. On the contrary, many men evidently think that, at 20 coupons, austerity suits are a good bargain. I decided on the arrangements for the removal of the restrictions after hearing the views of the principal trade organisations concerned, including the National Association of Outfitters. I have further decided, as a special concession and after again consulting the trade organisations, to replace in full the coupons lost by traders through the down-pointing of these suits from 26 coupons to 20. I have also arranged with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Supply, that with a view to relief in Europe, he will make further purchases of men's suits from traders who hold stocks surplus to their requirements.

Mr. Lipson

May I ask the Minister on what date he informed the National Association of his proposed change; on what date he announced it to this House, and also whether the traders will be able to get the coupons immediately or not?

Mr. Dalton

I cannot answer the question of dates without notice. Both my officials and I have had the opportunity of consultations with a number of organisations, and the particular organisation to which the hon. Member referred was seen by the Director-General of Civilian Clothing on my behalf, and was also seen by me, before I reached a final decision on points of detail. With regard to the time when coupons will be available, I repeat that I have made a special concession in view of representations made to me in this matter. This is a very heavy administrative task, and cannot be done in the twinkling of an eye. It will be done as soon as possible.

Mr. Graham White

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied, as a result of the arrangements announced on Friday, that there will be no supplies of unsaleable goods left in the hands of retailers?

Mr. Dalton

I hope not. We do not desire any goods to be unsaleable, and I think I have indicated that a number of steps are being taken to move these stocks. I also ought to point out to the House and the country that non-austerity suits will not be available in any great quantity for some months. Further, as these stocks will be strictly limited, people will be well advised to make the best use of what there is.

Mr. Molson

May I ask the Minister why, if it is true, as he stated at the beginning of his reply, that stocks are being satisfactorily disposed of in this country, it should be necessary for him to arrange with the Ministry of Supply to buy some of these suits for the relief of Europe after the war is over?

Mr. Dalton

It is not a new move for the Minister of Supply to make purchases in advance for the needs of Europe. We have certain commitments in that regard, and I should have thought it would have been welcomed by all those who are solicitous in that regard, that my right hon. Friend has found himself able to go a little further.

Mr. Stokes

Does the Minister recollect, on 22nd October last, saying to the National Association of Outfitters, "I shall be happy to make sure that you are not confronted with short notice for which you are not prepared"?

Mr. Dalton

Yes, Sir. The utmost notice has been given, but it is not possible, as my hon. Friend, as a business man, well knows, to have a large number of conversations with people, and for nothing to leak into the Press. Even on this occasion, after I had consulted a number of the organisations, to which I have referred, and before I made my announcement, it was all over the Press, and it was even announced—"announced" was the word used—on the B.B.C. on behalf of an organisation of the tailoring trade.

Colonel Arthur Evans

Will the Minister be prepared, if it is subsequently proved that traders, in spite of the arrangement he has made, should suffer financial loss, to take that into consideration?

Mr. Dalton

It is not a question of putting them to financial loss. It is a question of assisting them to clear stocks. I have made it perfectly clear to all concerned that I shall be very happy to see them from time to time, and to see how things are going. It is as yet too soon. The new coupon issue was made at the beginning of this month, and I timed this announcement so that people might have 24 coupons in hand at the beginning of the month, so that they were able to get for 20 coupons what was previously sold for 26. The effect of this arrangement has still to be seen.