HC Deb 05 June 1947 vol 438 cc361-2
6. Mr. Derek Walker-Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether European volunteer workers may be allowed in necessitous cases to anticipate their entitlement of clothing coupons provided that the total due to them over a period is not exceeded.

Sir S. Cripps

European volunteer workers on arrival in this country are issued with the ordinary civilian clothing ration. Thus, those now arriving are given 21 coupons to cover the remainder of the present ration period up to 31st October next. In addition, under a special arrangement for which my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Labour, is responsible, these workers, if inadequately clothed for employment here, are issued, without the surrender of coupons, with certain additional items of clothing drawn mainly from Government surplus stocks. These arrangements are, I believe, adequate to meet the needs of the situation.

13. Mr. John Lewis

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet in a position to say when 26 clothing coupons will be issued to those demobilised 'after the end of 1945.

Sir S. Cripps

Yes, Sir. Those demobilised between 1st January, 1946, and 30th June, 1946, inclusive will be able to obtain their coupons through the food offices in November. Precise details will be given in the Press nearer the time of issue. I am not yet in a position to say when those demobilised later will be given coupons.

14. Mr. J. Lewis

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can yet make a statement on the children's additional supplements.

Sir S. Cripps

Yes, Sir. As I have already announced, the Children's Ten will become available on 1st August. I propose to maintain the children's addi- tional supplements at last year's level and to make them available as from 1st September through the food offices. Children, therefore, aged between approximately 10½ and 16 on 1st August will be entitled to an extra 20 coupons and those over 16 and under 18 to an extra 10 coupons. Children under 10½ will be able to qualify for the extra 20 coupons if because of height, weight or size of foot they require adult sizes.