§ 41. Mr. Haireasked the President of the Board of Trade the causes of the present recession of trade in the furniture industry; and if he will take steps to stimulate its recovery.
Mr. H. WilsonIn the first three months of this year, manufacturers' and retailers' sales of utility furniture showed increases on the corresponding period of last year of 30 per cent. and 17½ per cent., respectively. Although later figures show that retail trade has been well maintained, I understand that retailers' orders from manufacturers are falling.
§ Mr. HaireIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable unemployment and recession of trade in the furniture industry at the moment, and much anxiety about future orders? Will he consider whether he can help by improving present hire purchase arrangements in the trade, and whether he can widen the utility range of furniture? In particular, will he ask the Furniture Industry Development Council to set up immediately machinery for market research?
Mr. WilsonAs I have made clear, purchases of furniture this year have been considerably above those of last year, but I am looking into the question raised by my hon. Friend about hire purchase.
§ Sir Wavell WakefieldIs not the reason for this recession the failure of the Minister of Health to build houses?