§ Sir H. Lucas-Toothasked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of their civilian clothing coupons have been required to be surrendered by women members of the N.F.S. in respect of items of uniform supplied to them; and whether he will consider allowing an increased number of clothing coupons to such members who have left the service to enable them properly to replace their uniforms with non-service clothes.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithFrom June, 1941, when clothes rationing began, to August, 1945, the basic ration has amounted to 218 coupons. Women members of the N.F.S. wearing uniform for the whole of this period will have surrendered in all 52 coupons from their basic ration. In return, they will have received an initial outfit of uniform comprising shoes, two suits, one overcoat and an overall, valued at 69coupons, and all necessary replacements for this outfit. The use of the N.F.S. uniform has meant a corresponding saving in wear and tear on their other clothing. In these circumstances, it should have been possible for them to maintain a reasonable civilian wardrobe, and I regret that, with clothing supplies 1197W still so short, I could not agree to give supplementary coupons to women who have left the N.F.S.