§ 21. Captain McEwenasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any additional releases of gum boots for children are being, or have been, made to meet the requirements caused by existing bad weather conditions.
§ 22. Mr. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the hardship suffered by schoolchildren in country districts owing to the inadequate supply of waterproof footwear; and if he is taking any steps to facilitate the production of any substitutes for rubber wellington boots for their use.
§ 28. Sir Leonard Lyleasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the inadequacy of the supply of children's rubber boots, thus causing hardship to many children in the inclement weather; and whether he will take steps to increase the supply of these boots and of children's footwear of all kinds.
§ Mr. DaltonIn spite of the extreme shortage of natural rubber, I was able to re-start the production of some children's wellingtons last summer, and I am glad to say that I have also been able to arrange for this small home production to be supplemented during the present year by imports from Canada. Children living in rural areas will have preference in the distribution of these supplies which, I am afraid, will still be small in relation to the total demand.
§ Captain McEwenIs this distribution going on now?
§ Mr. DaltonCertainly, Sir.