HC Deb 23 January 1945 vol 407 cc619-21
7. Mr. Oliver

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the great shortage of bed-linen and blankets in Heanor and that expectant mothers and householders accommodating industrial workers who have come into the district are unable to buy these articles; and whether he will take steps to authorise either an increase in the allocation or adjust the distribution of these commodities to overcome this hardship.

Mr. Dalton

I am afraid that sheets and blankets will remain scare, until more labour and textiles can be spared for civilian needs. But I have arranged with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to provide priority dockets for sheets to expectant mothers who need them for confinement at home. The Ministry of Health has also given local billeting officers discretion to issue bedding, within the limits of their stores, to householders who could not otherwise accommodate war workers.

Mr. Oliver

Is my right hon. Friend aware that industrial areas which have been swollen enormously by the reception of evacuees and the increase of war workers are having the greatest difficulty in acquiring these articles? Would it be possible to have some knowledge where those increases have taken place and to increase the quota?

Mr. Dalton

I quite appreciate the problem and shall be very glad to look into it along the lines my hon. Friend suggests. I will check up on the most recent information that we have as to how far we have been able to adjust the limited supplies to the changes in population in different districts. We are constantly watching this.

Sir Herbert Williams

Will the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind the shortage of blankets and bedding in places where a great deal has been destroyed by enemy action?

Mr. Dalton

Yes, Sir.

Mr. R. J. Taylor

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are not supplies to meet the dockets that have been issued?

Mr. Dalton

That is not the case. Traders may complain, but the statement is not true. The docket scheme is using up only one-third of the total production of sheets. For every one on the docket there are two in the free market.

Lieut.-Commander Joynson-Hicks

Are there not still substantial supplies of blankets held by the Department for the W.V.S. and similar societies? Could they not be released?

Mr. Dalton

As far as possible we are releasing all such stocks. I do not think they are very large.

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