§ Mr. Piratinasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is with his authority that some 300,000 women's coats, suits and dresses are to be sold for export to the British zone of Germany; and, in view of the shortage of clothing among British working-class women, if he will consider making these clothes available to the wives of workers in the essential and under-manned industries as a reward for their efforts and an incentive to further production.
§ Mr. BottomleyDiscussions are taking place with my right hon. Friend's authority with a view to selling women's coats and dresses to the British zone of Germany, since we must increase our exports of all kinds, including clothing, to all42W countries from which we can obtain an adequate return. If these discussions result in a sale, the purchase price will enable us to buy goods we need more urgently than the clothing which is exported.