§ 5. Mr. Sidney Shephardasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is a considerable demand for ladies' knitted sleeveless pullovers and cardigans, but as these garments are not included in the specifications of his Department, they are subject to Purchase Tax; and, in view of the fact that a saving of wool would result if they were available in the utility range, if he will take steps to include them.
§ Mr. H. WilsonThe present utility ranges cover as much as 90 per cent. of the hosiery and knitwear industry's total output for the home market. There has been no representative request from those interested for the inclusion of these particular garments. Such a request would, of course, receive consideration.
§ Mr. ShephardIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this utility schedule 636 was published in 1940, is now completely out-of-date and needs a thorough overhaul? Is he further aware that his Department cannot dictate to women on the trends of fashion?
§ Mr. WilsonMy Department has never tried to dictate the trends of fashion to anybody. The facts are that a committee considers possible changes in the utility schedule, and that if a representative body were to take this up my Department would be prepared to consider it.
§ Mr. ShephardWould the right hon. Gentleman not consider representations from separate firms? Must they be from groups of firms?