§ Mr. Dumpletonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the acute shortage of knitting wool in the St. Albans district; if he has considered the petition on this subject which has been sent to him on behalf of over 900 signatories; and whether, in view of the hardship, especially to mothers of young children, he will take steps to increase supplies in the district.
§ Sir S. CrippsSupplies of knitting wool are short generally due to shortage of fuel and labour in the wool industry, but I am not aware that the St. Albans district is less well supplied than other areas. The importance of hand-knitting yarn, particularly of baby wool, is fully realised and the worsted spinning section of the wool industry, which spins the bulk of these yarns, has been given preference in fuel supply. I hope that the worst of the shortage due to the fuel crisis will soon be past.