HC Deb 11 August 1947 vol 441 cc1913-5
23 and 24. Mr. Marples

asked the Minister of Supply (1) how many baths have been imported from France; what price they cost; and at what price they were retailed;

(2) to what extent the present demand for baths in this country is greater than the current British production; and to what extent has the importation of baths been authorised.

Mr. Wilmot

It is expected that sufficient baths will be made in this country during the next year to meet essential requirements as estimated by the Ministry of Works. Two thousand three hundred and seventy-nine baths were imported from France, at a cost of £14 each, for the temporary housing programme. Licences have also been issued for the import of 4,000 Hungarian baths.

Mr. Marples

How can the right hon. Gentleman reconcile the importation of baths at £14 each with the fact that during the six months to June, 1947, we exported 3,000 at £8 each?

Mr. Wilmot

The baths at £8 each are low priced baths of good quality produced under Government control. The baths which are being imported are more expensive—they are being sold by private enterprise.

Mr. Manningham-Buller

How can the right hon. Gentleman reconcile the importation of these baths with the fact that there is a large quantity of baths in huts and disused aerodromes which could be used, and, in view of the estimate of the Ministry of Works, what is the target for housing?

Mr. Wilmot

I have given the number of baths which the Ministry of Works estimate will be necessary to meet essential requirements.

Mr. Cooper

How does my right hon. Friend account for the fact that an allocation of steel for making pressed steel baths has been refused by his Department when, if it was permitted, we could increase our export of baths to a very considerable extent and manufacture far in excess of our own requirements?

Mr. Wilmot

We are short of steel. These baths from Hungary help to relieve the shortage of steel as well as to stimulate trade between the two countries.

Mr. Hogg

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult with his colleagues, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Fuel and Power, respectively, to see if we have enough houses in which to put the baths and enough hot water to fill them?

Sir T. Moore

In view of the fact that the Minister of Food has refused extra soap for children under two years of age, would not the Minister consider giving extra baths so that the children can be properly cleaned?

Mr. Marples

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the firm to whom his Department has given authority to import the Hungarian baths have no warehouse and, therefore, how do they propose to distribute the baths when they arrive?

Mr. Wilmot

This was the only firm that applied for an import licence.

Forward to