§ 36. Flight-Lieutenant Haireasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of furnishing textiles which is holding up the manufacture of utility furniture and whether he will take step? to increase the supplies.
§ Sir S. CrippsYes, Sir. I am well aware of the shortage A large increase in the production of furnishing fabrics has been planned for 1946 and, to relieve the immediate position, Government surplus cloths, wherever suitable, have been diverted to this purpose.
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenDoes not the right hon. and learned Gentleman think if strange that similar textiles—in similar designs of similar materials—which should be used for the making up of furniture are now appearing as drapery or curtains, and are being sold off the ration for such purposes at such prices that only well-to-do people can buy them and is there not something funny about that?
§ Sir S. CrippsI think not. Only a part of household furnishing fabrics are used in the making up of furniture; part is used for loose covers and similar things.
§ Mr. WalkdenIf the right hon. and learned Gentleman will look around the House of Commons, he will find some.