§ 56. Mr. Lipsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that utility brands of alarm clocks, sheets and other household requisites are 2052 not available for all who require them whereas non-utility varieties are on sale at much higher prices, he will restrict the manufacture of all essential goods to the utility brands till there is an adequate supply of these on sale in the shops to meet reasonable requirements.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Waterhouse)There is no utility production of alarm clocks, and it would not be possible to organise it. For some time past releases of raw material for sheets and other cotton household textiles have been directed to the maximum practicable extent to the manufacture of utility articles.
§ Mr. LipsonIs not my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that while only a limited number of people can get alarm clocks and other articles of the utility or cheap kind, there are some available at much more expensive prices? Is he aware that the present practice is causing great hardship to people with small incomes in general, and to the wives of serving soldiers in particular?
§ Captain WaterhouseI am aware that there are certain stocks available but there is no manufacture going on at the moment.