HC Deb 28 October 1946 vol 428 c262
27. Mr. Dodds-Parker

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reasons for maintaining the pool scheme for the distribution of blankets; and how soon he expects to be able to abolish this scheme.

Sir S. Cripps

The pool scheme for the distribution of blankets has been maintained to ensure that, during a period of acute shortage of blankets, docket holders would be able to get their dockets honoured with the minimum of delay. I can assure the hon. Member that the scheme will not be maintained any longer than is absolutely necessary for the purpose

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that at the present moment this monopoly is in fact purely artificial and leads to a very greatly inflated price to the public, and in view of the increased supply of blankets and of wool will he consider removing this restriction as soon as possible?

Sir S. Cripps

I shall certainly remove it as soon as fair distribution is possible without it.

Sir W. Wakefield

But is it not a fact that there are many millions of blankets now surplus in the Ministry of Supply and other Departments which are to be made available at once, and why cannot this scheme be abandoned at once and the blankets in question distributed instead?

Sir S. Cripps

Because there are not sufficient of them.

Sir W. Wakefield

There are millions of them.