§ Mr. Shinwellasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the policy adopted by his Department as regards the disposal of goods surplus to war requirements; and whether in this connection he acts in conjunction with the Ministry of Supply.
§ Mr. DaltonSmall quantities of clothing and other articles of use to civilians, which become surplus to war requirements, are from time to time placed at the disposal of the Board of Trade by the Ministry of Supply. The policy of my Department is to arrange for the distribution of these articles at controlled prices. For example, 335,000 reconditioned battledresses have been issued at fixed prices to chemical and agricultural workers. As regards plans for disposal of post-war surpluses, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Westhoughton (Mr. R. Davies) on 2nd November last.