§ 71. Mr. John Morrisonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of ordinary teapots; and what steps he is taking to remedy it.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Belcher)I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lewisham (Mr. Skeffington) on 24th April.
§ Mr. WalkdenIs the Minister aware that I myself went to 11 shops locally to try to buy a teapot, that I could not find one anywhere, and that, although I have made inquiries in my division, I cannot find a shop that has one; can he advise me where an ordinary housewife or husband can buy a teapot? I demand an answer.
§ Mr. BelcherThat is not one of the services for which I can make myself responsible, but if my hon. Friend will study the answer to which I have referred he will find that we are aware of the reasons for this shortage and are taking all the steps we can to overcome it.
§ Mr. WalkdenI have read it, but I cannot find a teapot.
§ Mr. J. MorrisonMay I corroborate the statement of the hon. Gentleman below the Gangway who cannot find a teapot anywhere?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreIs the Minister's idea to keep teapots short because of the shortage of tea?