HC Deb 29 October 1945 vol 415 cc16-7
41. Colonel Erroll

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the shortage of shoes of all types, he will instruct shoe shops to withdraw all shoes from their display windows and make them available for immediate sale.

Sir S. Cripps

No, Sir. It is best to leave this matter to the good sense of the shopkeepers concerned. The number of shoes thus temporarily withdrawn from sale would be negligible.

Colonel Erroll

Is not the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the continued presence of these shoes in shop windows is a source of irritation to the shopping public?

Sir S. Cripps

I was not aware of that, but the number is so infinitesimal compared with the actual sales that it should not worry them.

Colonel Erroll

Is it not a pity that any shoes should be wasted in this way, even although they are very few in number?

Sir Ronald Ross

Are not all the shoes shown in shop windows much too small to wear?