HC Deb 02 December 1948 vol 458 cc2151-2
13. Mr. Piratin

asked the President of the Board of Trade why women's underclothes are being imported from the U.S.A.

Mr. H. Wilson

Women's underclothes are included in the token import scheme. I would refer the hon. Member to the latter part of the reply given on 23rd November to the hon. Member for Howdenshire (Mr. Odey) on this subject.

Mr. Piratin

Can the right hon. Gentleman say approximately what was the amount of imports in the last period? Why do we need to import these goods, token or otherwise, in view of the fact that our manufacturers are capable of making them as well as the Americans?

Mr. Wilson

I think the hon. Member knows how the token imports scheme works. So far as figures are concerned, licences issued this year for underwear of all kinds from the United States amount to£5,970 worth. It is not possible statistically to distinguish between men's and women's underwear.

Sir W. Wakefield

In view of that reply, will the President of the Board of Trade now support the granting of a building licence to Bourne and Hollingsworth in order that these goods can be made in this country instead of being imported from America?

Mr. Wilson

These goods are made in this country on a considerable scale and are also exported. The existence of the token import scheme does not affect the matter in any way.