§ 7. Major C. S. Taylorasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, 6 in view of the increase in the birthrate, he is now prepared to release more rubber for the manufacture of teats and valves for infant feeding-bottles.
17. Mr. Murrayasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the great shortage of babies' soothers and teats for babies' bottles; and whether, in the near future, he will be able to increase the supply of, he above articles and thus assist the mothers of young children.
§ 35. Sir Herbert Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to increase the supply of teats for feeding-bottles, having regard to the acute shortage in relation to the increased birthrate.
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir. I am glad to say that, in agreement with my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Production, a substantial increase has already been made in the allocation of rubber for teats and valves, and larger supplies are reaching the shops. I have now arranged for a further increase which will, I hope, meet the demand in full.
§ Mr. DaltonIf the hon. Member will send me particulars I will look into them.
§ Sir H. WilliamsIs the Minister aware that no chemists' shops in Croydon have any?
§ Mr. Wootton-DaviesNor in Radcliffe.
§ Mr. DaltonI will look into that matter.
§ Mr. HoggDoes not the Minister think that the condition often attached to the purchase of teats, that a bottle should be bought at the same time, should be removed, in view of the increased supply?
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir. I may inform the House that one of the difficulties is that synthetic rubber is not good for teats. It must be natural rubber.
§ Mr. J. J. LawsonIs the Minister arranging for a general distribution throughout the country of these articles as practically every area is without them? It is no good promising a particular area to arrange for a supply, because the whole country is practically in the same position.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonWill there be adequate liaison in this matter with the Ministry of Health, in order to avoid inadequate allocation of rubber?
§ Mr. DaltonThe Ministry of Production is the co-ordinating Department in this matter.
§ Mr. NicholsonWill there not be liaison with the Ministry of Health?
Mr. MurrayIs the Minister aware that Spennymoor has not yet seen any of these articles on sale, and that is why Question 17 was put on the Paper?
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir, I quite appreciate This difficulty. I have given two reasons to the House why the difficulty has arisen and I have also told the House what active steps have been taken to correct it.