HC Deb 03 October 1944 vol 403 cc724-5
17. Mr. Quintin Hogg

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that mothers are compelled to purchase a bottle every time they desire to replace a teat; and whether he will arrange for a supply of teats sufficient to enable them to be sold separate from the bottles.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Waterhouse)

This may be so in some cases, but as my right hon. Friend said in reply to Questions last week, arrangements have been made for a large increase in the output of teats, and supplies independent of bottles will be reaching the shops in increasing quantities very soon.

Mr. Hogg

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend see to it that the condition imposed by a shopkeeper, that the purchase of a teat must be accompanied by the purchase of a bottle, is made illegal in view of the increased quantity of teats?

Captain Waterhouse

As soon as a sufficiency of teats is available in the shops, under Section g of the Goods and Services (Price Control) Act it will then be illegal for anybody to make it a condition that the purchaser of a teat must buy a bottle. At the present moment, however, it is fairly obvious and common sense, I think, that if a man only has enough teats to match his bottles, he shall sell the two together and not separately.

Dr. Edith Summerskill

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether his Department are advised by any woman at all?

Captain Waterhouse

I am happy to say that we have the advice of several ladies.

Viscountess Astor

But are they married women?

Mr. J. J. Lawson

The right hon. and gallant Gentleman has told us that these teats are going to be supplied very soon. Is he aware that we had that answer last week? How much longer have we to wait?

Captain Waterhouse

We shall have to wait one week less than last week, quite obviously.

Viscountess Astor

The babies will not wait.

Mr. Murray

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that retailers cannot buy these things from the wholesalers at the present time?

Captain Waterhouse

My right hon. Friend has already explained that production has been increased, but it takes a certain length of time for the crude rubber to be turned into teats. They will be in the shops very soon.

Mr. Thorne

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that when I was a baby there were no teats at all? I used to have a sugar bag put in my mouth.

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