§ Mr. Grovesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the fact that coupons are not supplied to cadets for His Majesty's Forces and that they will therefore be seriously handicapped for provision of ties, socks, shirts, gloves, boots and shoes; and whether he will take the necessary steps to adjust matters?
§ Sir A. DuncanThe present temporary arrangements whereby serving officers may obtain rationed goods by signing a statement on the back of the traders' bill that the articles mentioned represent their essential personal requirements apply also to officer cadets serving with H.M. Forces. The Board of Trade are considering, in consultation with the Service Departments, what special provision may be necessary 57W for Senior and Junior Training Corps and other training units.
§ Mr. Pearsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that works police employed with firms engaged upon war production, and having been measured for uniform before 21st June, are required to forfeit 26 coupons for same; and will he exempt or reduce the number of coupons so required?
§ Sir A. DuncanCoupons are required for these uniforms, except in certain cases where the uniform was delivered before 21st June. I am, however, considering whether it is possible to arrange for the advance of a certain quantity of coupons, to be repaid over a period, to persons who on taking new posts would have to surrender a large portion of their annual ration to obtain uniform essential to their duties.
§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider exemption from the requirement to surrender coupons in the case of white overall coats and gowns used by doctors, surgeons and dentists in their private practices as well as when on duty in hospitals?
§ Captain WaterhouseMy hon. Friend's suggestion is being considered as part of the general question of special occupational needs, on which discussions are proceeding.
§ Dr. Petersasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give special consideration to the case of a wife or family of a man serving abroad in His Majesty's Forces upon the former returning to this country with the very limited amount of personal luggage permitted, and grant some concession in their favour so that they may secure sufficient necessary clothing, which is impossible under present coupon conditions?
§ Sir A. DuncanYes, Sir. The Board of Trade are prepared to issue any extra coupons needed to bring such persons' stocks of clothing up to an adequate level. Application should be made by post to the local Collector of Customs and Excise, whose address and the appropriate form may be obtained from local authority information centres.
58W
Mrs. Adamsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to give particulars of the special arrangements under the clothes rationing scheme to meet the needs of expectant mothers?
§ Sir R. Youngasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the margarine coupons are excised from the ration books of new-born infants on the ground that their clothing is free of coupons; that this deprives parents of making home-made garments of wool, etc., and in some cases forces them to pay higher prices than are necessary; and whether any rearrangement can be made to meet those who prefer home-made articles for their children's health and comfort?
§ Sir A. DuncanI hope very soon to announce special arrangements for the issue of additional coupons to expectant mothers and these coupons, together with the clothing cards which will soon be available for issue when children are born, should prove adequate for the requirements of parents who prefer home articles for their children.