HC Deb 20 March 1945 vol 409 c658W
Sir W. Smithers

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost to the taxpayer of producing utility suits, socks and other similar articles of clothing; what quantities of these articles are still undisposed of; and to what countries have any of these articles been exported.

Mr. Dalton

The direct subsidy on utility cloth, the purpose of which is to prevent an undue rise in prices, amounted up to the end of last month to about £440,000. Utility clothing stocks are held by traders in the normal course of business, and, like other clothing stocks, are now low. The export of utility clothing is prohibited, except under licence, and only small quantities have been sent to certain British communities abroad.