§ 21. Mr. Burdenasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider increasing the controlled price of imported nylon stockings for sale in this country.
§ Mr. H. StraussNo, Sir.
§ Mr. BurdenIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that in an answer which was given to me last week, the President of the Board of Trade stated that licences would be issued to import foreign nylons, but under the present price control these nylons cannot be sold in the retail shops at the controlled price and show a reasonable profit? Will he ensure that if they are imported they do not go into the black market?
§ Mr. StraussCertainly, steps will be taken to prevent a breach of the law, but it is our information that imports within the maximum prices at present laid down should be possible.
§ 33. Mrs. Mannasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure a reasonable supply of nylon stockings for the home market which will provide good wearing qualities.
§ Mr. H. StraussIt is for the industry to decide what kinds of nylon yarn to 2028 use for the manufacture of stockings in the light of demand at home and overseas. I understand that at least half the supplies for the home market are made from the heavier yarn which wears well.
§ Mrs. MannIs the hon. Gentleman aware that my Question applies to the supply of nylon stockings for the home market and not to the quality of the nylon? Will he convey to his right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, who has always shown himself to be solicitous regarding women's interests, that nylons of a good, reliable wearing quality are now unprocurable?
§ Mr. StraussI am instructed by my advisers that extreme fineness of texture can only be obtained at the cost of durability, and, therefore, I can only advise the hon. Lady to choose the quality which she more desires.
§ Captain PilkingtonCan my hon. Friend give a similar assurance about the continued supply of new hats?
§ Mrs. MannIs the hon. Gentleman aware that British women always prefer 30 denier for good wearing qualities and 15 denier for glamour?
§ 34. Mrs. Mannasked the President of the Board of Trade the estimated amount of nylon stockings available to the home market for 1953; and the amount available for 1952.
§ Mr. H. StraussIn the first 10 months of 1952 deliveries of nylon stockings to the home market amounted to approximately 64 million pairs. Exports must have the first call on our production of stockings from the limited amount of nylon yarn available, and the quantities of nylon stockings offered on the home market in 1953 will chiefly depend on the level of exports.
§ Mrs. MannWill the hon. Gentleman ensure that the quantity for 1953 will not fall below that for 1952?
§ Mr. StraussI think it will be the view of all that exports must have the first call, but steps are being taken to increase the production of nylon yarn, which should ultimately make greater supplies available for both home and export purposes.
§ Mr. OsborneCan my hon. Friend say how the 64 million pairs for the home market this year compares with last year and the year before that?
§ Mr. StraussNot without notice, Sir.
§ Mr. G. BrownIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the present arrangements of his Department for allocating nylon yarn are reducing our own supplies for the home market, and not increasing them, at the very moment when he is allowing foreign supplies to enter?
§ Mr. FernyhoughDoes not the hon. Gentleman think it is rather stupid that, at a time when we need to export nylons, we are importing them? If he does not think it is stupid, does he not think it was dishonest that when the Labour Party was doing exactly the same thing with porcelain baths and cement the Tory Party tried to make propaganda out of it?
§ Mr. StraussI do not think the hon. Gentleman will find that great quantities are imported. He must be familiar from many answers which have been given that it is not right to exclude all imports.
§ Mr. FernyhoughWhy was that not said when the Conservative Party was in Opposition?