§ Mr. Hutchinsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that ship's officers who desire to purchase rubber sea boots as part of their equipment are unable to obtain the necessary coupons from the shipping offices without surrendering an old pair of boots; and whether he will arrange for the shipping offices to issue the necessary coupons where the applicant is able to furnish a suitable explanation as to the manner in which his old boots had been disposed of?
§ Mr. DaltonThe purpose of this arrangement is to ensure the utmost economy in the supply of rubber boots. The officials who issue permits to ships' officers have discretion to waive this rule whenever the applicant has a satisfactory explanation. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind in which this discretion has been unreasonably withheld, I shall be happy to look into it.