§ 79. Mr. Haireasked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for the re-organisation of the furniture industry; and if he will make a statement on the future of the industry.
§ Mr. BelcherComprehensive recommendations about the furniture industry 231W were made by the Furniture Working Party and discussions on these are in progress with both sides of the industry. I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the outcome of these discussions. As regards the immediate future, my hon. Friend will be aware that there is still an acute shortage of the industry's raw materials; so long as this shortage persists, it will be necessary to maintain the Utility furniture scheme, making such modifications in it as are required from time to time.