§ Winģ-Commander Robinsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to remove austerity restrictions from uniforms and men's civilian overcoats and down-point existing stocks so as to bring the position in line with men's civilian suits; and whether he will at the same time replace in full to the traders concerned the coupons lost through this down-pointing.
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir.
§ Winģ-Commander Robinsonasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, in order to assist traders in the disposal of men's austerity suits, he will down-point the coupon value to 13, namely, half of the original coupon value; 1252W and at the same time replace in full to the traders concerned the coupons lost through this down-pointing;
(2) if, in the arrangements he is making with the Ministry of Supply for purchasing men's austerity suits for relief purposes in Europe, he will ensure that small traders as well as large manufacturers are relieved of their surplus stocks.
§ Mr. DaltonAs regards the down-pointing of austerity suits and the replacement of coupons, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement which I made on this subject on 15th February. I have already announced that retailers, as well as manufacturers and wholesalers, may offer for relief stocks of suits which are surplus to current requirements.