§ Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyreasked the President of the Board of Trade why dockets are provided to hoteliers for the 345W purchase of Dutch imported furniture and not to individuals; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to give priority to hoteliers over private persons for the purchase of imported furniture.
§ Sir S. CrippsNo dockets are required for this furniture either by hoteliers or private individuals. The Dutch furniture was imported specifically for the rehabilitation of war damaged and requisitioned hotels, and those quantities, which are not now required by hotels, are being made available to the public without restriction so long as supplies last. As has been announced, it is the Government's policy to give what assistance is possible to enable hotels to provide accommodation for home holiday makers and overseas visitors. This necessarily involves a measure of priority, which may be for either imported or home produced goods, depending on considerations of supply and suitability.
§ Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyreasked the President of the Board of Trade why allocations of Dutch imported furniture are limited to the undertakings which will take a minimum of 10 suites, since such a restriction makes it impossible for small firms to apply for an allocation.
§ Sir S. CrippsDutch furniture is imported not by the Board of Trade, but by the Furniture (Emergency) Import Association who are responsible also for its initial distribution. I understand, however, that a proportion of the furniture is allocated by the Association to wholesalers, from whom it is possible for small firms to acquire less than 10 suites in accordance with normal trade practice.
§ Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyreasked the President of the Board of Trade the total value and volume of Dutch furniture imported into the United Kingdom during 1946; and whether the value of such imports is included within the original limit of £5,000,000, set for imports of furniture.
§ Sir S. CrippsDuring 1946, 900 Dutch bedroom suites were imported to a c.i.f. value of £33,570. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. N. Macpherson) on 4th December. The value of the Dutch furniture is included in the figure of £1,000,000346W authorised for expenditure on furniture suitable for the rehabilitation of hotels.