Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Minister of Supply whether he will allow the Kentish basket-making industry to manufacture more shopping and household baskets or make arrangements to ensure that such baskets made by Italian prisoners of war shall be marketed through the local industry instead of being peddled to the public direct.
§ Mr. PeatI regret that the general manufacture of shopping and household baskets from willows cannot yet be allowed. The available supplies of willows are still required for making baskets essential to the war effort, but in order to avoid loss of livelihood a limited production of shopping baskets is permitted by blind and disabled workers incapable of other work. I understand that since 17th October, when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War answered a question on this subject, instructions have been issued prohibiting any scheme for basket-making by Italian prisoners of war in their spare time.