HC Deb 02 May 1944 vol 399 cc1174-5
10. Mr. Keeling

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the reduction made by Emergency Powers (Defence) Consumer Rationing—General Licence (S.R. & O., No. 317, of 1944) in the coupon value of certain non-utility shoes applies to unregistered traders and not to registered traders.

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

The coupon rate for low priced non-utility shoes was reduced from 27th November last until 31st March to help traders to clear stocks. The distributors, who are unregistered, need a longer period to dispose of their stocks than the manufacturers, who are registered. The former have, therefore, been allowed to sell these shoes at the reduced rate for a further three months.

Mr. Keeling

May I ask the Minister whether, in exercising his power of delegated legislation, he would explain such matters in the Order?

Mr. Dalton

I always endeavour to combine clarity with brevity, and an explanation is attached wherever there is any difficulty, but no difficulties have arisen in the trade about this.

Mr. Keeling

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some boots, classed as ulti-utility, are themselves non-utility?

Mr. Dalton

I am endeavouring, by exercising persuasion, through Orders and other means, to discourage the production of cheap footwear. The difficulty is, however, that we have to deal with a good deal of second-rate material, which has to be worked in somewhere, but we are endeavouring to get rid of the lower qualities.

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