HC Deb 06 February 1945 vol 407 cc1875-6
19. Mrs. Tate

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Messrs. Maggs, of Frome, have had no feeding bottle teats or valves delivered in the month of January and that they have scores of mothers very urgently in need of same; and when the shortage of these essential articles is likely to be overcome in Frome.

Mr. Dalton

If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the orders placed by this firm for delivery in January which have not been fulfilled, I shall be glad to see what can be done.

Mrs. Tate

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for the last three months this firm has had fewer teats than ever before, in spite of the promises made by the Board of Trade; that they have had neither teats nor valves for January, and that for scores of mothers and children the position is desperate? I will give the right hon. Gentleman the particulars he asks for, but we are sick of promises from the Board of Trade which are never carried out.

Mr. Dalton

I shall be obliged if the hon. Lady will give me the particulars I have asked for. I have made inquiries from several wholesalers, and none of them have been approached by the retailer referred to. One wholesaler tells me that he used to supply this retailer but that no supplies have been asked for during several months past. Therefore, I think it will be useful if the hon. Lady will give me a little more light on the subject.

Mrs. Tate

I have in my hand full details which I will give to the right hon. Gentleman. I, in my turn, hope that the right hon. Gentleman will sometimes keep his promises.