§ 18. Mr. Kirbyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider reducing, or abolishing altogether, coupon requirements in the case of wooden-sole clogs in children's sizes, thus helping to ensure that all persons of tender age are adequately shod to protect their feet in all weathers.
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir. Most children's clogs are already pointed at two coupons as against three for children's leather shoes, and the production is a very small percentage of the total supply of children's footwear.
§ 27. Mr. Kirbyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the poor quality of children's leather footwear now on sale; what representations he has received on this matter from local authorities, education committees, teachers' organisations or any other bodies; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that children's footwear of a reliable wearing quality is made available in retail shops throughout the country in the near future.
§ Mr. DaltonI am glad to say that in the last few months the quality of children's footwear has been much improved and the number of complaints has substantially declined. I am taking, and shall continue to take, all possible steps to secure further improvement; but my hon. Friend will realize that the shortage of material and labour sets severe limits to what can be done.
§ Mr. KirbyWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him whether, in view of what he has said and also of his answer to Question No. 18, he will be good enough to look into this matter again?
§ Mr. DaltonI look at it very constantly. I am keeping it very closely under observation, and the action which I have reported to the House several times, including the requirement that all manufacturers should stamp their identification marks on footwear, is, I think, producing results. The number of complaints received at the Board of Trade has fallen from 218 in October last, to 76 in February, and to only 61 in March.
§ Mr. Vernon BartlettMay I add to the number of complaints by sending to the right hon. Gentleman details of a pair of shoes which came to pieces the very first time they were worn?
§ Mr. DaltonI would rather that my hon. Friend sent me, not the details, but the shoes.
§ Mr. John DugdaleWill my right hon. Friend consider reducing the number of coupons, as many more shoes have to be bought, owing to the lower quality?
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir, I cannot reduce the number of coupons until there are larger supplies to carry the lower coupon values.
§ Mr. KirbyWill my right hon. Friend pay special attention to the representation that has been made to him by educational authorities?
§ Mr. DaltonCertainly, Sir.