HC Deb 22 January 1948 vol 446 cc359-61
26. Mr. Keenan

asked the President of the Board of Trade why pairs of bed sheets are offered for sale at 31s. 8d. and 33s. 8d., with 14 coupons, bed sheets at 23s. 6d. and 37s. 6d., with 12 coupons, bed sheets at 42s. 6d. with eight coupons, and pairs of bed sheets at £4 2s. 3d. without coupons in Liverpool stores.

Mr. H. Wilson

The coupon rates for sheets vary with size, but quality, as well as size, enters into the price. Moreover, non-utility sheets are subject to Purchase Tax, whereas utility sheets are not. I am not aware that any sheets are now being sold without coupons and if my hon. Friend will send me details I will look into the matter.

Mr. Keenan

Is the Minister aware of the discrimination that is applied to those who are in need of bedding? Does he know that those who are prepared to surrender coupons, and who have them to surrender, can get sheets, and that those who have no need to surrender coupons, as long as they have money, can buy them without coupons? That is discrimination.

Mr. Wilson

The only discrimination is in the size of sheets, which is not unreasonable. If there are people getting sheets without coupons, I would like to have particulars.

Mr. Piratin

Is not the President of the Board of Trade aware that, in the case of curtains, the more expensive type can be obtained without coupons while coupons have to be given for the cheaper ones?

Mr. Wilson

This Question relates to sheets; there is a later Question about curtains.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Does that cover iron curtains?

27. Mr. Keenan

asked the President of the Board of Trade why curtain materials are offered at prices approximately 12s. 6d. and 2⅔ coupons per yard, and similar curtain materials are offered at 33s. 9d. per yard without coupons in the Liverpool stores.

Mr. H. Wilson

Broadly speaking, curtain material is rationed or not in relation to its interchangeability with dress material. Utility curtain material is all rationed and closely price-controlled and is reserved for docket holders. The type of non-utility material which is unrationed carries a very heavy rate of Purchase Tax.

Mr. Keenan

Will the Minister take into consideration the fact that those who are in need of curtain material can get it without coupons if they have the money, and that is not fair?

Mr. Cecil Poole

Will not the right hon. Gentleman do something to relieve the very considerable resentment felt by housewives at being unable to buy curtains after six and a half years of war and two years of peace, whereas those who have unlimited money can buy all the curtains they want?

Mr. Wilson

I have been looking into the curtain situation personally recently, having run into some of the difficulties to which hon. Members have referred, but there are very great difficulties about the proposal which has been made. I am prepared to have another look at the matter.

Mr. Bramall

Would it not be possible to have a great deal more cheap utility material if the material which is now sold, often at high prices, was not put on sale?