§ 36. Mr. Osborneasked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he proposes to send to the Lindsey Women's Institutes who are urging him to grant special supplementary coupons for stockings and household linen, and urging that all stockings should be fully-fashioned and of good quality, as indicated in the correspondence sent to him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. H. WilsonA large proportion of the stockings produced, including many solid and durable, though not fully fashioned types, have already been freed from coupons, and the coupons required for all others, except nylons, have been reduced. The suggestion that all stockings should be fully fashioned overlooks 1400 the fact that most of the stockings used in this country have always been of other and less expensive types; and though our manufacturers are steadily getting more fully fashioned stocking machines, the final balance of production will be for the industry to decide in the light of public demand. The general quality of stockings being made is fairly comparable with serviceable pre-war types, though wearers of the lighter and sheerer weights cannot expect the same life from them as from the heavier kinds.
With regard to coupons for household textiles, I cannot add to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) on 15th June. I propose that a reply on these lines shall be sent to the correspondents who have written to the Board of Trade on these topics.
§ Mr. OsborneMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the fact that it would only involve a slight risk, whether he will not take them off clothing coupons now, in view of the huge stocks which have accumulated in the country?
§ Mr. H. WilsonNo, Sir.
§ Mr. OsborneWhy not?