HC Deb 08 July 1946 vol 425 cc12-3W
101. Mr. Hastings

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that students arriving in this country from places in which there is no clothes rationing are given 100 coupons, whether they desire them or not; and whether, in view of the present shortage, he will review the necessity for this.

Sir S. Cripps

There is no automatic issue of extra coupons to students arriving in this country, except that British subjects are given 10 coupons as an instalment of the basic ration. If students need more clothing they have, like other visitors, to make application for coupons to the Board of Trade.

112. Mr. Callaghan

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his regulations provide that a tailor can refuse to accept an order for a suit of clothes unless he is given the necessary coupons at the time the order is placed.

Sir S. Cripps

The regulations make no such provision, but there is nothing in law to prohibit a tailor asking for the deposit of the appropriate number of coupons as a condition of accepting an order for a suit of clothes; it is a matter of private contract for the tailor and his customer.

Sir J. Lucas

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that student nurses get no additional coupons for shoes, although they are constantly on their feet and that they only get vouchers for three pairs of stockings per annum; and whether he will look into this matter with a view to action.

Sir S. Cripps

Student nurses receive their uniform on special terms. In return for an initial surrender of six coupons they are issued with an outfit of indoor uniform worth not more than 94 coupons, and with annual replacements. In addition they may use cloaks and capes from the stocks held by the hospital authorities. They are also allowed certificates worth nine coupons a year which provide six pairs of unfashioned or three of fully fashioned stockings. This leaves a substantial balance of their personal coupon ration for non-uniform clothing and shoes, and I do not consider that a further grant of coupons would be reasonable.