Footwear

HC Deb 03 December 1945 vol 416 cc1893-5

77. Mr. Driberg

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has now been made in securing the return of labour to the footwear industry; and how soon he anticipates that there will be an improvement in the quality and quantity of children's shoes available in the shops.

78 and 79. Mr. Quintin Hogg

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he has taken since July to increase the production and improve the distribution of babies' and children's shoes; and with what results;

(2) what is the estimated present production of babies' and children's shoes; and how it compares with the present estimated demand.

92. Mr. Monslow

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the widespread demand of mothers of small children for infants' footwear, including socks, during the whole of 1945; that only two factories are turning out shoes size one to four and that the health of such children is being affected; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the position, particularly during the coming winter months.

Sir S. Cripps

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Members' permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Driberg

Can my right hon. and learned Friend also say whether the answer contains any satisfaction or not, as this is really a very burning problem?

Sir S. Cripps

It contains the facts which my hon. Friend wishes.

Mr. Hogg

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman give some general perspective of the present position, and is he entirely satisfied with it?

Sir S. Cripps

I can certainly never be satisfied until everybody have all they want, and they cannot have it at the moment.

Mr. Monslow

Will my right hon. and learned Friend realise the worry this is causing not only to mothers but to the trade?

Sir S. Cripps

I am sure the hon. Member will realise that it is causing me a great deal of worry.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

As Members of the House are anxious to receive the answer to these Questions, will the Minister read the answer at the end of Questions?

Following is the reply:

In 1939, the number employed in the footwear industry was approximately 100,000. In July, 1944, it had been. reduced to 66,770, and in July, 1945, had only risen to 68,175. In the last three months, the rate of return has shown considerable improvement, and the labour force increased by over 2,000 to a total of 70,652. With regard to the production and quality of children's footwear, I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Nottingham (Mr. O'Brien) on Monday last. There are over 100 registered firms engaged in the manufacture of infants leather footwear and eight are specifically employed on the production of sizes 0 to 6. The production of infants' shoes was 1,118,669 in October as against 986,515 in July; this represents an annual rate equivalent to 129 per cent. of the 1935 figure. With regard to infants socks, over 800,000 dozen pairs were produced during the period May to August, 1943, but in the same period in 1945 this figure rose to over 1000,000 dozen pairs, an increase of nearly 16 per cent.