HC Deb 18 December 1947 vol 445 cc1857-8
37. Mr. Parkin

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give further information about the removal of the subsidies from utility cotton and wool cloth.

Mr. H. Wilson

Yes, Sir. I have now arranged for the subsidy on utility cotton apparel cloths and handkerchief cloths to be discontinued on all cloth invoiced from the weavers to the converters after 31st December. The detailed arrangements for dealing with the subsidy on utility wool cloth are still being worked out and there will be no change in the existing arrangements before the end of February, 1948.

Mr. Parkin

Will my right hon. Friend say what measures he has in mind to restore the stability of prices which the removal of the subsidies will endanger?

Mr. Wilson

We are discussing the prices with the trades concerned. It will be our intention to see that the increase in prices resulting from the removal of the subsidies is kept as small as possible.