HC Deb 04 March 1948 vol 448 c79W
10. Mr. Haire

asked the President of the Board of Trade what number of licences have been given to manufacturers of non-utility furniture, and of what value, last year.

Mr. H. Wilson

Four thousand one hundred and forty. The licences comprised domestic and school furniture of all kinds, including woven fibre furniture, furniture made from metal or plastics and such minor articles as meat safes and linen boxes, office furniture and certain types of business equipment, canteen and church furniture and shop fittings. As far as domestic furniture is concerned practically all the licences were for the production of furniture from materials which arc not subject to allocation, or are not a limiting factor in the utility range, and are not suitable for use in utility furniture; the rest largely represent the provision that has been made for the small "working masters" to continue the exercise of their craft. No figures are available for the total value of the licences issued.