§ 88. Mr. G. Brownasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange for a larger supply of gas mantles to reach the town of Belper, Derbyshire, as the present inadequate allocation is causing hardship; and what steps he is taking to increase the general supply of gas mantles.
§ Mr. BelcherI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Aston (Mr. Wyatt) on 18th March, in which it was explained 285W that, while production was improving spite of power cuts in February there was still a general scarcity throughout the country and considerable arrears of demand to be met. I am not aware of any large outstanding orders from the Belper area, but if my hon. Friend will send me particulars I will look into the matter.