§ Mr. Ewartasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the grave shortage of gas mantles in Sunderland; and, in view of the hardship entailed on householders depending on gas for illumination, if he will take steps to have the shortage rectified.
§ Mr. BelcherShortage of certain raw materials has brought about a general shortage of gas mantles all over the country. We are doing our best to rectify this168W and production in 1947 is running at about 12 per cent. higher than that of 1946. I am informed that Sunderland is obtaining a fair share of the available supply.