§ 64. Sir W. Smilesasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that it is difficult to buy renewals of household china plates, cups and saucers; and if he anticipates any improvement in the supply during the next six months.
§ Mr. BelcherI am aware that domestic pottery is very scarce in the shops. Output indeed is increasing, but our balance192W of payment situation forces us to devote as much as we can of our production to export, especially to hard currency countries, where there is still a keen demand for British domestic pottery. Until production enables the industry to reach and surpass the export figures set before it, I fear I can foresee no appreciable improvement in home supplies.