§ Mr. E. Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the industry was consulted on the proposed home-production order that will have a serious effect on the pottery industry; why is it intended to make an order while there are so many unemployed; and will he hold up the order pending discussions with the Members of Parliament for the area?
Major Lloyd GeorgeAfter a careful review of the situation in the industry the President of the Board of Trade decided that an additional home trade quota should be allowed to the pottery industry for the current rationing period, which ends on the 30th November. As regards the next period, commencing 1st December, the need to transfer labour to munitions work in the Potteries during that period is likely to be so considerable that it was felt necessary at the same time to warn those concerned by an announcement in the Press that the home trade quota would have to be reduced to 50 per cent.