§ 3. Mr. Vernon Bartlettasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will accord to girls working in N.A.A.F.I. canteens the same right as he has accorded to hospital nurses in respect of extra coupons for the purchase of stockings.
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir, I regret that, in view of the shortage of supplies, I cannot see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.
§ Mr. BartlettIs it not a fact that these girls are very much in the same position as nurses, in that they are both in civilian categories and that the wear and tear of stockings must be very great in both cases, and will the right hon. Gentleman not reconsider it?
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir, the ground of giving a concession to nurses was that, in their case, it is very important on hygienic grounds that they should have a very good supply of stockings. I should be only too delighted to make the concession which the hon. Member suggests, but I could not possibly discriminate in favour of this particular group of people. It would mean opening the door very wide indeed to all sorts of other people, though I should be very glad to do this if supply conditions permitted.