HC Deb 26 February 1948 vol 447 cc2101-2
24. Mrs. Ridealgh

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to prevent the production of such large quantities of longer women's coats and dresses, having regard to the fact that this fashion is only acceptable amongst a limited class of persons and leads to waste of material and expensive alterations in the case of many women.

Mr. H. Wilson

I am not prepared to dictate styles to manufacturers of women's garments, much as I deplore extravagant use of cloth at the present time. I am informed that there are considerable quantities of shorter garments available for those who want them.

Mrs. Ridealgh

Is the Minister aware that mass production firms would welcome a definite lead from the Minister against this new fashion as it is with reluctance that many of the firms have had to make these "new look" garments, because the retailers and distributors have been loth to buy the stocks already existing with the wholesalers? Is he aware that the London Co-operative Society, and other firms in the London area, dealing in mass production garments, are only offering them to a very minor degree?

Hon. Members

Speech.

Mr. Speaker

We have already had two supplementaries in one.

Mr. Wilson

Both the present Chancellor and I have given a fairly definite lead about this question in the past, so far as the supply of coupons is concerned, but we would not be prepared now to try any further dictation about women's fashions.

Mrs. Jean Mann

Will the President of the Board of Trade explain why the "new look" skirt, irrespective of how many yards it contained—even up to 20 yards—can be had for four coupons, whilst a gentleman has to sacrifice 26 coupons for a suit, which contains only three and a quarter yards?

Mr. Wilson

If my hon. Friend will give particulars of where this product can be found, I would very much like to get on to it—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—but she can certainly be assured that the arrangements being made in connection with what I understand is called the "new look" do not involve any further allocation or supplies of cloth or coupons.

Lord John Hope

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, in deciding what his future attitude is to be, that the "new look" is particularly discouraging to bachelors.

Mr. Speaker

I think we had better get on to the next Question.