§ 69. Mr. Thomas Reidasked the President of the Board of Trade if in view of the glut of overcoats, skirts, knit wear, rayon and nylon stockings in Swindon which are sometimes given free or for a nominal sum for coupons, he will facilitate the sale of these stocks by coupons changes or otherwise.
§ Mr. BelcherNo. The export programme will increasingly affect the volume of supplies for the home market, and I have no reason to believe that these will be more than sufficient to meet the current ration. I am not aware that stocks of the garments mentioned are abnormally high in Swindon, or that traders are willing to dispose of rationed goods, which are in sound condition, free or for nominal sums.
§ 71. Mr. George Jegerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that large stocks of women's clothing are accumulating in shops and clothing factories; and whether he will arrange for the reduction of the coupon values of such clothing of which the manufacturers can show ample supplies.
§ Mr. BelcherI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern) on 2nd March.