§ 2. Mr. Sidney Shephardasked the President of the Board of Trade the conditions under which clothing coupons are issued to persons visiting this country.
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Harold Wilson)Visitors generally staying here for more than 28 days are given the appropriate proportion of the basic ration quarterly. Further, visitors who come from a country with a materially different climate can apply for extra coupons to enable them to buy clothing suitable to this climate.
§ Mr. ShephardIs it not wrong that foreigners coming to this country for a period of, possibly, just over 28 days should have a share in our very meagre clothing rations, and will the right hon. Gentleman restrict the facility to British nationals who come home on long leave?
§ Mr. WilsonThere is involved the very important question of our being able to earn dollars and other scarce currency by the sale of clothing which, otherwise, might be exported, and this is one of the best ways of exporting it.