§ Sir L. Lyleasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the encouragement given to the public on the ground of cheapness and suitability to buy torches taking No. 8 batteries which it is now impossible to purchase, he will issue official advice to the owners of such torches whether to scrap them for salvage or to retain them in case batteries are available?
§ Captain WaterhouseAs my right hon. Friend informed my hon. Friend on 19th November there are fewer No. 8 batteries this winter than last owing to supply difficulties. The manufacture of No. 8 cases has been prohibited since the 7th September, 1942. Those members of the public for whom a torch is an indispensable necessity should change to a larger and more economical type of torch only if they find themselves permanently unable to obtain No. 8 refills. I must emphasise that it is quite unnecessary that everybody should do this, as very large quantities of No. 8 batteries are still being produced.