74. Lieutenant-Commander Hutchisonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the distribution of material made under the last regular allocation of docket fabrics in December, 1944, has practically ended; that no further allocation has yet been made; why this time lag has been allowed to occur; and what steps will be taken to rectify and minimise the inconvenience to returning Servicemen wishing to set up house.
§ Mr. BelcherI am not aware of an interruption in any of the various allocation stages, and I am not clear therefore, what is the nature of the difficulty which the hon. and gallant Member has in mind. If he will let me have particulars, I shall be glad to look into the matter.
77. Lieutenant-Commander Hutchisonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of covering materials for existing furniture; and if, as a palliative measure, he will authorise the production of at least 1,000,000 yards of docket and coupon free upholstery cloth of wool and/or cotton for distribution through the regular trade channels for repair work.
§ Mr. BelcherI am well aware of the shortage, and while the bulk of new production of upholstery cloth must be reserved for the production of utility furniture, docket and coupon free upholstery cloth available for repair work is also manufactured. The total quantity of such material should exceed 1,000,000 yards in the course of 1946, and in addition any Government surplus cloth, which is suitable for the purpose, will also be made available.