§ Mr. Naylorasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the continued shortage of mattresses in South London; that in certain areas holders of priority dockets are being told that they cannot be supplied with a 4 ft. 6 in. mattress, priced at £12, within six months or more, but that one could be supplied from stock without dockets for £18; and if he will take steps to put an end to such dealing in regard to both price and method.
§ Sir S. CrippsI am not aware that supplies of mattresses are shorter in South London than elsewhere. Production of mattresses for the home market has now reached the prewar level, but spring mattresses, to which my hon. Friend appears to refer, form only a small proportion of the total, owing to short supplies of certain of the components. Consequently, docket holders who insist on obtaining a spring mattress may have to wait in some cases for a considerable interval, though they can avoid the delay by accepting a mattress of another type. With regard to the last part of the Question, if my hon. Friend will let me have full particulars, I will look into the matter.