§ 17. Mr. Allaunasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the serious effect the ending of "Add To" and other furniture hire-purchase arrangements is having on working-class households who previously, after repaying part of their obligations, bought more goods to that value, and also on furniture workers in Manchaster and Salford and other centres, who are suffering unemployment and short time; and if he will now reconsider this measure.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Shoreditch and Finsbury (Mr. Collins) on 19th April.
§ Mr. AllaunIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the National Union of Furniture Trade Operatives reports a sudden worsening of the situation in the last fortnight? Can he explain how short-time working and unemployment for thousands of first-class craftsmen, whose skill cannot be used in the export trade, and many of whom are elderly and have spent a lifetime in the job, can possibly help the country?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe hon. Gentleman raises in his question some rather wide points which were dealt with very fully in a recent economic debate. I cannot at this stage say on behalf of the Government that we are prepared to relax our general credit policy.
§ Mr. JayIn view of the very special distress caused in the furniture industry by the Government's policy, will the President, even if he cannot promise action now, undertake to watch the situation very carefully in the next few weeks?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI will certainly watch the situation in all industries, and not only in the furniture industry.