§ 117. Lieut.-Colonel Corbettasked the Minister of Supply why surplus Government clothing cannot be tendered for by firms or individuals other than members of the Reconditioned and Salvage Clothing Merchants Association; who are the members of this association; and how many of them are ex-Servicemen.
§ Mr. BelcherI have been asked to reply. The R.S.C.M.A. deals only with used clothing. It is a non-profit making association of wholesale merchants formed specially for the purpose of controlled disposal of Government second-hand clothing. Membership was open initially to all firms who were in the trade before the war, but the Association are willing to admit ex-Servicemen who are genuine wholesalers. I will send the hon. and gallant Member a list of members of the Association, of whom there are 41. I understand that seven of these are ex-Servicemen recently admitted to membership. Government surplus clothing in new condition is disposed of through other trade associations similarly constituted.