§ 42. Mr. Murrayasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of watering cans suitable for greenhouse work; if he will take immediate steps to improve the supply of these important utensils at this time of the year; and what was the number of greenhouse watering cans produced in 1947.
§ Mr. BelcherI am aware of the scarcity of watering cans for greenhouse work, which is due mainly to the shortage of suitable types of steel. I am, however, satisfied that the manufacturers of these articles are getting their fair share of the material available. I regret that I have no information as to the number of these cans produced during 1947.
§ Mr. MurrayIs my hon. Friend aware that many wholesalers have on their books people who have been waiting for watering cans for over two years, and that it is very difficult to carry on greenhouses without these utensils?
§ Mr. BelcherI know that there is a shortage of these things. Everything is being done to produce as many as possible, but there is a shortage of raw material.
§ Mr. John LewisIs my hon. Friend aware that anyone with any ingenuity can, by taking an ordinary can and making holes in the bottom, make a watering can?