§ 59. Mr. Prescottasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the allocation of flannel cloth for men's and women's wear, respectively.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Belcher)Flannel of different types is used for a wide variety of garments for adults and children and there is no reservation of specific quantities for men's or women's wear.
§ Mr. PrescottDoes not the hon. Gentleman think that it is rather fantastic that there should be plenty of women's trousers but very great difficulty in getting men's trousers? Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that trousers are more suitable to a man than a woman, and what will he do about it?
§ Mr. BelcherI have no desire to go into the aesthetics of the matter, but I am inclined to agree with the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. We have asked the Wool Control to make representations to the manufacturers, as they have done, and ISSS hope as a result we shall shortly see a change in the balance as between men and women.
Mr. BaldwinIs the Minister aware that the reason for the shortage of men's trousers is that the same type of trousers for women are allowed to be charged at 10s. more than men's trousers?
§ Mr. BelcherThat is borne in mind.