§ 69 and 70. Mr. Frederic Harrisasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will ensure that supplies of aluminium to manufacturers of aluminium utility furniture are maintained, particularly where manufacturers are not organised to use timber as an alternative;
(2) whether he will consult with the aluminium furniture industry on the effect of his present policy to restrict new uses of aluminium, in view of the serious effect this decision will have on the industry.
§ Mr. RhodesThere is no restriction on the amount of aluminium that may be used by manufacturers of utility furniture who are already licensed to use it. The fact that aluminium mainly comes from the dollar area, however, has made it necessary to discourage its use where alternative materials from non-dollar sources are available. I am, therefore, afraid that we cannot grant licences to enable manufacturers of furniture to bring within the utility range any additional types of furniture involving the use of aluminium.