§ Sir JOHN BARRANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with a view to maintaining an even flow of trade in this country as far as possible, he will consider issuing on behalf of the Government, a strong appeal to all trading houses to abstain from cutting down their normal seasonal requirements and so assist the manufacturers to find employment for their workpeople?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question for him. The Government appreciate to the full the importance of maintaining employment at a normal level wherever this is possible. I hope and believe that the trading houses in the country are alive 389W to their responsibility in this respect without the issue of any special appeal from His Majesty's Government.