§ 20. Mr. V. Yatesasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the communication sent to him on 17th January by the Birmingham and West Midland district of the National Union of Furniture Trade Operatives regarding the serious position of employment in the furniture industry in Birmingham; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Sir D. EcclesI have seen the letter to which the hon. Member refers but I do not consider that the situation calls for any special action by the Government.
§ Mr. YatesIs the Minister aware that in Birmingham and, I believe, elsewhere in the provinces furniture firms are not being given more than 35 per cent. of their normal allocation, whereas some firms in the London area are getting 80 per cent.? That is adding enormously to the difficulties in the Midlands and elsewhere in the provinces, and is creating havoc. Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the situation with the other Ministers concerned?
§ Sir D. EcclesIs the hon. Member referring to the allocation of petrol?
§ Sir D. EcclesThen I can tell him that those allocations have recently been increased.
§ Mr. HamiltonCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the allocations to equivalent people in Scotland have been increased? Until the middle of January, at any rate, the allocations were very much less than those in either the Midlands or London.
§ Sir D. EcclesI cannot answer that question without notice.