§ 71. Mrs. Middletonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the concern existing among housewives, in that only well-to-do persons can buy uncouponed furnishing materials, and of the fact that coupons for household linen constitute a heavy drain upon housewives' clothing coupons, he will make provision for an allocation of household coupons to each individual in the next rationing year and bring all furnishing materials within the rationing system.
§ Mr. H. WilsonAs I told my hon. Friend, the Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Keenan), on 22nd January, I will again examine the question of curtains. The suggestion of issuing special coupons for curtain materials and household linen would have no effect on supplies and I think that they are more reasonably distributed against the surrender of the ordinary clothing coupon.
§ Mrs. MiddletonIs my right hon. Friend aware that in most households it is the housewife who has to supply the coupons for these articles and that it would be much fairer to the community if the coupons for this purpose were scattered throughout all the rations books of the family?
§ Mr. WilsonI know that in many households it is the housewife, but in very many others it is not. The suggestion would not increase the amount available, 1192 but it is a question which might be considered as and when supplies begin to arrive.
§ Mr. KeelingIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that 52 Questions have been addressed to him today, and can he hold out any hope that the pressure of his Department on the citizen will be reduced?