§ Mr. Cocksasked the President of the Board of Trade whether clothing coupons, like food coupons, can be used on a family basis, that is to say, if a husband does not wish to use all his coupons can they be used by his wife for her own requirements, and vice versa?
§ Captain WaterhouseYes, Sir.
§ Mr. G. Straussasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that clothes for children under four years of age are unrationed, and many mothers knit clothes for their babies, he will consider a modification of his rationing scheme whereby mothers and expectant mothers will be able to buy a limited quantity of wool without presenting coupons, on the authority of a child welfare clinic?
§ Captain WaterhouseThe question of the facilities needed to enable expectant mothers to obtain a special ration of knitting wool or other material is being urgently considered. Subject to this the coupons issued for infants are fully adequate for their requirements of knitting wool, piece goods and footwear.
§ Mr. Harveyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will sanction the purchase, under approved conditions, 350W without the use of coupons, of uniforms and kit for the use of boy scouts, scout cubs, girl guides and brownies?
§ Captain WaterhouseTo allow for exceptional wear and tear on children's clothing and for growing out of clothes, such clothing is rated at fewer coupons than adults' clothing. I regret that pressure on supplies does not permit the further benefits suggested by my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider a relaxation of the coupon system in regard to the purchase of miners' safety boots and other protective clothing used in the mining industry?
§ Captain WaterhouseThis question is under consideration.
§ Sir R. Gowerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is permissible for relatives of a family to pool their coupons with those of the family so as to give a bride a trousseau?
§ Captain WaterhouseYes, Sir.
§ Mr. Garro Jonesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to an inconsistency as between the public advertisement and the statement on page 2 of the notice to traders about the rationing of clothing, etc., in that the latter statement limits to one-sixth of his quota the amount of goods a supplier may sell without coupons to his retailers, whereas the public advertisement leads retailers to believe that there is no limit during the initial period; and whether, to remove misunderstandings as between suppliers and retailers, he will take immediate steps to clarify the position by a broadcast or Press statement?
§ Captain WaterhouseThe one-sixth quota limitation referred to by the hon. Member was set out fully in the trade Press announcement. Space prevented a similarly full statement being made in the general Press announcement. A Press notice is being issued to-day, however, which should clear up any misunderstanding which may have arisen. It is also stated in the notice that the proportion of the quota which may be supplied by wholesalers without coupons has been increased from one-sixth to one quarter.
351WThis increase, I am assured, will make a further contribution towards increasing the stocks in the small shops.