HC Deb 10 October 1944 vol 403 cc1560-1
41. Colonel Clarke

asked the President of the Board of Trade is he aware of the considerable difficulty that is being experienced by smokers in obtaining pipes at the present time; and if he will increase the supply available to tobacconists.

Mr. Dalton

Yes, Sir. But I am glad to say that I have arranged for a resumption of imports of briar from North Africà and increased supplies should be arriving shortly.

Colonel Clarke

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask if it is possible, when travel conditions allow it, for somebody to go over to the town where the pipe bowls are made—I think it is in the Jura mountains—to find out if there is not a large supply of half-made ones there at the present time?

Mr. Dalton

If my hon. and gallant Friend will keep in touch with me on that matter, I will try to facilitate a visit.