§ 79. Mr. John Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any further statement to make on clothes rationing.
§ 83. Sir John Mellorasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make the next issue of children's clothing coupons valid during April, so that purchases can be made before the summer school term begins.
§ Sir S. CrippsYes, Sir. As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade stated recently, I cannot shorten the period which the present issue of coupons is intended to cover and these coupons must last until the end of April. The next issue of clothing coupons will be for the period of four months only from 1st May to 1st September, and will be 14. This is at the rate of 42 coupons a year as compared with an annual rate of 36 for the current period. For the convenience of the public and particularly of parents of school children, these coupons will become valid as from Monday, 8th April.
As from 1st September, a return will be made to a ration period of six months, and, apart from any unforeseen circumstances, I hope that it will be possible to make the ration for that period 26 coupons which is equivalent to an annual rate of 52. I also intend this year, as last, to make the children's general supplement of 10 coupons available in August.
§ Wing-Commander HulbertWill the right hon. Gentleman not agree, as the Prime Minister has said we are about to celebrate Victory, that he might do something better for civilians than giving this trifling increase?
§ Sir S. CrippsI would gladly do a great deal more if there were the yarns available.