§ 64. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that ex-Servicemen are having difficulty in the North of England in purchasing shirts on leaving the Service; and if he will make efforts to remedy this shortage.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Belcher)I have no information that the position is more difficult in the North of England than in other parts of the country, but supplies of shirts to retail shops should improve 376 as the production of civilian outfits for demobilised men declines from its present high level. Every effort is being made to increase the output of cotton cloth, and arrangements have been made to use for shirts any surplus Government cloths which are suitable for the purpose.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyIs the Minister aware that shops in Cheshire are promised an allocation of only two dozen shirts each for three months, and is he aware that men leaving the Services are given one shirt each? How does he propose to clothe these men suitably for finding jobs?
§ Mr. BelcherWe propose to do everything in our power to increase the supply of cloth for shirt making. We have already allocated large quantities of surplus cloth and we shall continue to do so. However, if the hon. and gallant Gentleman can provide me with evidence of desperate shortage in any part of the country, I will be glad to look into it.