HC Deb 07 November 1944 vol 404 cc1225-6
8. Mr. Hynd

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is still no improvement in the position concerning the lack of children's plimsolls in certain districts; that whole classes of children are now required to do their gym exercises in bare feet on dirty and rough wood floors; and if steps will be taken to issue quotas of these shoes through the schools or, alternatively, pro- vide some substitute footwear immediately.

Mr. Dalton

Owing to the shortage of rubber, it will be some time before there are sufficient supplies of plimsolls for each child to have his own pair. But I have arranged with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Education and the Secretary of State for Scotland to issue permits, on application, to schools to enable them to keep a small pool for loan to physical training classes.