HC Deb 16 June 1942 vol 380 c1394W
Dr. Morgan

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the allowance of extra clothing coupons for protective clothing for workers employed in the grocery trade, in view of the great wear and tear of outer clothing in this occupation?

Mr. Dalton

I shall give full consideration to any claims which may be put to me by trade unions representing these workers through the Trades Union Congress in respect of the present rationing period.

Flight-Lieutenant Etherton

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will order all clothing coupons to be cancelled by retailers in a manner similar to the cancellation of insurance stamps in order to ensure that clothing coupons can be used once only for a retail purchase?

Mr. Dalton

No. Sir. An Order in the sense suggested would impose an additional burden on retailers and would be difficult to enforce. The obligation on the retailer to surrender clothing coupons in return for further supplies of rationed goods is an effective safeguard against the re-use of coupons for retail purchases. It would be against the retailer's real interest to allow coupons to be used twice.