§ Mr. Odeyasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, in view of the fact that the supply of leather is more than sufficient for the home and export trade, he will take immediate steps to abolish the Leather Control, which is causing accumulations of unsaleable leather;
(2) whether, in view of the effects of Government bulk purchase of hides in reducing our export trade in leather footwear and manufactured leather goods, he will restore the purchase of hides to private traders.
§ Mr. H. WilsonI am not at present satisfied that the supply of leather can be maintained at such a level as to enable the Control to be withdrawn. Our present import programme entails heavy expenditure in hard currency countries, and the balance of payments position is such that the level at which expenditure was running in 1947 cannot be continued. Purchase of hides was reduced in the latter part of last year and the effects of this will shortly become apparent. I will continue to do all I can to make leather available for export trade in leather, footwear, and leather goods. The position is under continuous review.