Mr. De la Bèreasked the President of the Board of Trade, what action has been taken by his Department, since the Limitation of Supplies Order was introduced early in 1940, to give practical help to small traders and manufacturers to deal with problems arising from Government action over which they themselves had no control?
§ Mr. DaltonWhen the Limitation of Supplies Orders were first made, restricting the total amount of goods which manufacturers and wholesalers might supply to their home trade customers, the Board of Trade urged suppliers to distribute their supplies equitably between retailers, on the basis of their previous business. At the outset of the rationing of cloth and clothing in June, 1941, arrangements were made for the small retailers to acquire, coupon-free, extra stocks. Thereafter each retailer's further supplies of rationed goods were dependent upon the number of coupons which he received from his customers and to this extent an equitable distribution of such supplies was maintained. As part of their duties, the area distribution officers of the Board of Trade assist retailers in the various problems arising from the Limitation of Supplies Orders and other Government controls, and have often been able to help them in obtaining goods. The Limitation of Supplies Orders have always provided that manufacturers may supply controlled goods without restriction up to a certain limit, usually £100 a month, except, of course, where manufacture has been totally prohibited.