Imported Bedroom Suites

HC Deb 06 May 1947 vol 437 cc35-6W

69. Mr. J. Lewis

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many bedroom suites have been imported into this country since January, 1946.

Mr. Belcher

22,154 up to 24th April, 1947.

70. Mr. J. Lewis

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he permits imported bedroom suites to be sold unit free while British-made utility suites are subject to purchase with units only and restricted to those people in the eligible categories.

Mr. Belcher

The only imported bedroom suites sold unit-free are those brought in from Holland to help the hotels. The hotels have not taken up all of them and the market for the remainder has, therefore, been widened. As these suites are not utility articles, and are, therefore, subject to Purchase Tax, it would not have been practicable to bring them within the Utility furniture scheme.