§ Major Lyonsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is taking any, and what steps, for the manufacture and sale to the public of utility earthenware?
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir. By an Order and directions made on 30th May, all pottery manufactured for the home market must be of a utility type. Further limitations of types and sizes are imposed by directions which become operative on 1st January, 1943.
§ Major Lyonsasked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps he has taken, in view of continuing shortages, to ensure that the six largest firms of earthenware manufacturers have gone into production of utility crockery for the home domestic market in adequate proportion to their respective production capacities; and from what dates, respectively, did those outputs of utility crockery become effective?
§ Mr. DaltonSince 1st June last, except for very small quantities made under special licence, manufacturers of pottery have only been permitted to produce plain utility ware for the home market. In2292W September last, in view of the serious shortage of domestic pottery, particularly cups, I made a special appeal to the employers and workers to increase output. I am glad to say that there has been a substantial increase, and in the case of cups, production at the end of last month was more than 30 per cent. greater than in May and June. All the six largest manufacturers have fully contributed to this increase and I should like to express my gratitude to the industry.