Rubber Teats

HC Deb 07 November 1944 vol 404 cc1223-4

3. Mrs. Tate

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the promised increased supplies of teats are going to be available; and whether he is aware of the serious situation in which mothers and children are placed because of the continued shortage.

7. Mr. Quintin Hogg

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to further complaints of the shortage of rubber teats for feeding bottles in Oxford, despite recent concessions; and if he will take more effective action in this matter.

9. Mr. Shephard

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is still an acute shortage of babies' teats in Nottingham; and can he say when supplies will be available.

Mr. Dalton

As I informed my hon. Friend, the Member for Morpeth (Mr. R. J. Taylor), on Tuesday last, the weekly production of teats has now been doubled as compared with the average for July and August, and is still increasing. Larger supplies are now reaching the shops. I have taken steps, in consultation with the manufacturers and distributors, to ensure that supplies are evenly distributed over the country.

Mrs. Tate

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is still an acute shortage and that the whole policy with regard to the needs of the home, leads one to the conclusion that he wishes to eliminate women and children? Does he not think that it should be the policy of his Department and the Government to allow them to continue in existence?

Mr. Tom Brown

Is it not the case that in the North West of England the shortage has been very acute, and that those that are now being supplied are inferior in quality, and will he pay due regard to the quality of the supply?

Mr. Dalton

We are doing our best with the material that is there. The Ministers of Supply and Production have been very co-operative in the matter, but neither they nor I can control the quality of the rubber at this stage of the war. We must do our best with what we have, and that we are trying to do.

Mr. Hogg

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to the continued shortage, housewives in one town that I could name are collecting as many as 14 or 15 glass bottles, owing to the fact that shopkeepers will not supply a teat without a bottle?