§ Mr. Osborneasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he is aware that there are large stocks of wartime produced shoes, under-soled with Balata belting, in the retailers' hands which are practically unsaleable; and if he will consider allowing these to be sold free of coupons;
(2) how much under-employment there is in the firms manufacturing miners' and other heavy nailed boots; and, in view of the large surplus stocks, if he will make them saleable free of coupons and so increase employment in this branch of the industry.
§ Sir S. CrippsAs I informed the hon. Member for Bucklow (Mr. W. Shepherd) on Monday last, I am considering the general question of the pointing of footwear. Heavy working boots are one of the main items I have in mind. I have already given permission for the unlimited export of these boots, and, if I find I can make some coupon concession, the employment position in this industry will, no doubt, be further benefited.