§ 95 and 96. Mr. Yatesasked the Minister of Supply (1) whether, in view of the difficulty still being experienced throughout the country in obtaining spectacles, he will take steps to increase supplies in the near future;
(2) if he is aware that difficulty is being experienced in Birmingham in supplying orders for solid ground bifocal lenses which have been outstanding for eight months; and if he will take immediate steps to bring about an improvement in supplies.
§ 98. Mr. Chamberlainasked the Minister of Supply what steps are being taken to increase the supply of spectacle lenses, in view of the long delays still experienced by those requiring these articles.
88W
§ Mr. WilmotI am aware that it is still difficult, in Birmingham and elsewhere, to obtain bifocal and complex lenses, in spite of the fact that production is increasing and is now considerably greater than before the war. I am, however, advised that it should be possible to meet all such orders much more speedily than my hon. Friend suggests, and if he knows of any particular case of delay and will let me have details I will do all I can to help, for I do realise the inconvenience and hardship involved. We are doing everything possible to improve the labour position since a shortage of the highly skilled workers needed for this industry is the main difficulty in increasing output.