§ 16. Mr. Geoffrey Cooperasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take, in view of the accumulation in the hands of wholesalers and retailers of boots and shoes, underwear and shirts, etc., by reducing the coupon value of the items in excessive supply or by issuing additional clothing coupons, to make the excessive stocks now held available to the public before they deteriorate in value due to change of fashions or damage through storage for an unduly long period.
§ Mr. H. WilsonStocks of clothing and footwear are better than last year but then they were in many cases abnormally low, and we have to keep in mind the reduction of supplies that must be expected later this year in many types of goods owing to the export drive. I am, however, watching the position.
§ Mr. CooperWill my right hon. Friend take into consideration any representations that might be made to him by the trade, so that the matter will be given his special attention at the present time?
§ Mr. WilsonI receive quite a number of representations and they are being taken into account very urgently in connection with the review which I have already mentioned in regard to footwear supplies.
§ Mr. BeswickWill my right hon. Friend also take into account the fact, so far as clothing is concerned, that the return furnished to him of stocks does not include a large stock of goods in this country nominally sold to retailers, but held up pending the deposit of coupons by customers?
§ Mr. GammansIs it not a fact that large stocks of clothes, especially women's clothes, have accumulated which are not likely to be acceptable for export?
§ Mr. WilsonThere are some, but we have to bear in mind that owing to the diversion to export there will be fewer goods coming into the shops from the home mills later in the year.
§ Mr. George PorterIs my right hon. Friend aware that the reference made in the Question to other goods includes waterproofed and rubberised goods, and that because of the accumulation in the shops of these goods there is considerable unemployment in the industry?
§ Colonel Stoddart-ScottIs it the Government's policy to keep rationing on in plenty as well as during scarcity?
§ Mr. WilsonNo, nothing of the kind, and if the present building up of stocks were something we could hope to be permanent and lasting we should adjust the coupons to meet the situation. We have to bear in mind, however, the low rate of supplies coming from the mills, because of diversion to export.