HC Deb 14 December 1948 vol 459 cc123-4W
94. Brigadier Rayner

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the N.A.A.F.I. have been granted a monopoly in the South Devon area for the supply of certain items of coupon-free sports clothing to Territorial Army and Cadet Force Units to the disadvantage of local retail sports dealers.

95. Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

asked the President of the Board of Trade why those serving in the Territorial Army and Army Cadet Force are not permitted under the new scheme for the purchase of coupon-free sports clothing to purchase such clothing from private traders.

Mr. Bottomley

Owing to the rapid demobilisation of the Services, certain stocks of cricket shirts, football shorts, football stockings and jerseys accumulated overseas and were returned to N.A.A.F.I. in this country, and to dispose of these stocks it was agreed, as a temporary concession, to allow their supply coupon-free to units of the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces and the pre-Service Cadet Forces for a period of twelve months. I do not think that the quantities of such sports wear made available to members of the Auxiliary and Cadet Forces will be such as to constitute a serious encroachment on retailers' trade but the working of the concession will be reviewed from time to time during the remaining period of its operation.