HC Deb 03 February 1942 vol 377 cc1069-71W
Mr. Mander

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether arrangements can be made for vouchers, for traders desiring to change their 500 coupons, to be issued in exchange at any post office transacting money order business?

Sir A. Duncan

The present arrange-meats for enabling traders to exchange clothing coupons for vouchers are under review but I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject.

Mr. Groves

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction among producers of foodstuffs because they cannot obtain towelling for the use of their staff; whether he is aware that, on 14th December last, the Excel Company, of Stratford, applied for towelling and were referred to three separate departments at Bournemouth, but up to the present moment have received no satisfactory reply; and whether he will look into this matter?

Sir A. Duncan

The facts are not as stated in the Question. The original letter from the Excel Company did not state their difficulties clearly. After the Department at Bournemouth had communicated with them, their form of application for coupons to obtain towelling was received in the appropriate department at Bournemouth on 22nd December. Some coupons were issued to the company on the following day. The issue was smaller than the company hoped, but, as the hon. Member will appreciate, the supply position is difficult. The supply of towelling is also restricted by quota and the matter is now being considered from this point of view.

Mr. Mander

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether arrangements can be made for extra coupons to be made available for overalls for workpeople engaged in transport-repair work as this is of a dirty nature and ruins clothing?

Sir A. Duncan

The reduction in the coupon-value of industrial overalls to 2, 3 or 4 according to type should enable these workers to meet their clothing needs adequately out of their ration. If there are any special classes of transport-repair workers for whom this coupon-concession is insufficient, they should put forward their case for an issue of supplementary coupons through the appropriate Trade Union for consideration by the Board.

Mr. Pearson

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of additional clothes coupons allowed to the various categories of the workpeople employed at Messrs. Brown, Lenox and Company, Limited, Pontypridd, Glamorgan?

Captain Waterhouse

Arrangements are being made to issue next month supplementary coupons to certain classes of workers, including workers in those classes employed by Messrs. Brown Lenox and Company. I will communicate details to the hon. Member in writing.