HC Deb 29 July 1946 vol 426 cc94-7W
116. Mr. Molson

asked the President of the Board of Trade the conditions under which supplementary coupons are issued to demobilised men; whether they will continue after the issue of the additional 26 coupons; how many such additional coupons have been issued since the termination of hostilities; and what is the average number issued in all to each demobilised man.

Sir S. Cripps

The conditions are that members of all ranks, men and women, shall have relinquished their basic civilian clothing ration, given full time paid services in the Forces for over one month at least, and have been released to civil life at the due termination of such service. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative and to the third, "None," since the first of the additional issues of 26 coupons will not be made until November. I regret I have not sufficient information to enable me to answer the last part of the Question, but the normal entitlement, including the 26 additional coupons and apart from the share of the basic ration and any industrial supplements which vary from case to case, is, for men 116 coupons and clothing in kind to the value of 63 coupons, and for women, 172 coupons and no clothing in kind.

117. Mr. Molson

asked the President of the Board of Trade under what conditions additional clothing coupons are issued to serving officers and men by the War Office; whether these coupons are obtained from his Department; and what was the total number issued in the last 12 months.

Sir S. Cripps

Service coupons restricted to the purchase of uniform and accessories are made available by my Department to the War Office for issue to serving officers to build up an outfit, and maintain it; of these Service coupons, 21 a year are available for the purchase of certain civilian clothing No coupons are at present issued to other ranks, but, on this point, I would ask the hon. Member to await the answer which I propose to give today to my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. J. Freeman). I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that the figures for which the hon. Member asks are not available.

125. Squadron-Leader Kinghorn

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the pronouncement of the Leeds stipendiary magistrate that all those who have been using relations' clothing coupons have been committing crimes; and if he will take steps to amend the necessary order to make clear that this practice is legal.

Sir S. Cripps

I am advised that it is legal for a person to use the ration book of another person on whose behalf the goods are being obtained, and that, in the case of the members of a family, in the absence of evidence to the contrary the necessary authority would be inferred from the possession of the ration book.

126. Lieut.-Commander Hutchison

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that delay is being caused in the issue of clothing coupons to those returning to the United Kingdom from abroad owing to a decision that all applications for such coupons must now be submitted to his Department in London; and if he will take steps to have this decision reversed and to revert to the practice of giving some discretion to his local representatives in dealing with such applications.

Sir S. Cripps

In order to ensure that the varied requirements of people returning from different places abroad should be equitably met, it has been found necessary to concentrate this work in London. Since applications had normally to be made by post under the earlier system, however, the change should not slow up the treatment of applications appreciably. It would not be in the interest of equity to revert to the earlier practice.

128. Mr. J. Freeman

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet in a position to make the announcement which has been promised about civilian clothing coupons for other ranks.

Sir S. Cripps

Yes, Sir. I am glad to say that I have just concluded arrangements with the Admiralty, War Office and Air Ministry, whereby all "other ranks' and ratings of the three Services, including the Women's Services, who are members of our British Forces and who have at least one year or more still to serve on the 1st October, 1946, shall receive a book containing 21 clothing coupons. The concession will date from 1st October, but it is not expected that actual distribution of the books will be complete until the New Year.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the regulation authorising naval ratings to wear plain clothes when off duty, he will allow them civilian clothing coupons.

Sir S. Cripps

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. J. Freeman).

Sir G. Fox

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he anticipates that British subjects coming from abroad for short visits, who now receive 10 clothing coupons on arrival, will be brought into line with aliens visiting this country who receive an allocation of clothing coupons after two months.

Sir S. Cripps

I have under consideration the question of coupons for British and foreign visitors but I regert I am not yet in a position to make a statement.