§ 74. Lord Willoughby de Eresbyasked the President of the Board of Trade why he requires clothing coupons to be surrendered for clothing sent to this country as a free gift by and for the use of the flood victims of last winter, by the American Red Cross; and whether he will re-consider the matter.
§ Mr. BelcherEmergency arrangements were made for coupon-free distribution of gift clothing to this year's flood victims and these arrangements were continued until the 31st August. Since then, bulk gifts of new clothing have been distributed and coupons collected in accordance with the normal procedure.
§ 75. Mr. W. Griffithsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether in the interests of hygiene he will make arrangements to provide for the issue of supplementary coupons to optical practitioners who in the course of their work are obliged to attend to a large number of patients in succession.
§ Mr. BelcherWhere special clothing is necessary for hygienic reasons, such as 45W the provision of operating gowns in ophthalmic surgery, arrangements already exist for its supply coupon-free, but I regret that this concession cannot be extended to ordinary optical practice.
§ 82. Mr. Bowdenasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that physical training masters and mistresses in Secondary Grammar Schools are granted supplementary clothing coupons; that this grant is not made to P.T. masters and mistresses in Secondary Modern Schools; and as the duties are similar, if he will make an equal grant of clothing coupons.
§ Mr. BelcherFull time physical training teachers in Secondary Modern Schools are entitled to the same coupon assistance to get essential kit as physical training teachers in other schools. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind and will let me know, I will look into it.