HC Deb 04 November 1948 vol 457 cc113-9W
Mr. John E. Haire

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the relaxation of controls since he appointed a special examiner of controls last February.

Mr. H. Wilson

Yes. Since the appointment of Mr. Merriam, as Examiner of Controls, last February, I have authorised the relaxation of controls affecting more than 60 commodities for which the Board of Trade is responsible. The details are set out below.

These relaxations are of three main kinds. The first kind is where, as a result of plans made some time back, we have increased the supplies of industrial materials manufactured in this country (particularly of some chemicals) to the point where there is enough to meet demand; and so there is no longer any need to control their distribution. The second type are the controls over manufacture of miscellaneous consumer goods. I intend to revoke most of these controls with two important exceptions. I cannot yet free the goods which earn us dollars, but of which we do not yet produce enough. Nor can I free goods which are manufactured out of materials which directly or indirectly cost us hard currency. It will also be necessary, so long as some materials continue in short supply, to retain some of the controls which ensure that there is a sufficient proportion of inexpensive goods of sound quality on the home market. The third change is that for some specialised raw materials, where supply and currency conditions allow it, I propose to revert from public to private purchase. The list also contains a few measures of simplification.

The net effect of all these changes will be to eliminate the issue by my Department of approximately 200,000 licences or permits a year.

Besides the relaxations I have mentioned, there are a number of others for which preparations are in progress, but which I cannot announce at present.

In deciding on these relaxations, I am seeking to assist our industrial efficiency and our power to export. This relaxation of controls is in accordance with the Government's policy which has been frequently stated. Apart from those basic controls which are essential for our economic recovery, for industrial efficiency, or for full employment, it is our policy to maintain all those controls—and only those controls—which are essential to secure a proper distribution of materials which are still scarce. A wide range of materials still continues in short supply, and we shall consequently have to continue the measures by which they are allocated though we shall continue to introduce improvements and greater flexibility wherever possible.

In addition to the controls which I have mentioned, my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Supply, has approved proposals relaxing certain controls for which he is responsible. Details will be given in my right hon. Friend's written reply today to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Parkin).

Following are the details:

PART 1
RELAXATIONS OR MODIFICATIONS IN BOARD OF TRADE CONTROLS SINCE FEBRUARY, 1948
Commodity or Article Nature of Relaxation Effective date of Relaxation
Acetone Change from public to private purchase September
Apparel of leather and oiled cloth. Consumer rationing abolished August
Bathing costumes Consumer rationing of knitted bathing costumes abolished. August
Bichromates Revocation of statutory price control April
Children's Rainwear (proofed garments other than of wool or union gaberdine). Consumer rationing abolished August
Cotton Piece Goods Greater flexibility introduced into the market distribution of exports. August
Curtain Material (a) Taken off dockets April
(b) Consumer rationing of all utility curtain cloth and some other furnishing fabrics abolished. August
Footwear (a) Consumer rationing of Children's footwear abolished. May
(b) Consumer rationing of the remainder abolished August
Formvar Relaxation of administrative control of distribution July
Furniture Utility Furniture opened to purchase without units June
Gloves Consumer rationing abolished June
Glue, Gelatine and Size Substitution of open general for specfic licences to treat, use, consume, acquire and dispose of these materials. July
Hemp: Indian (or Sunn) Revocation of stautory control of acquisition, disposal and processing: change from public to private purchase. August
Knitted Goods Freed from export licensing May
Lactic Acid (edible and B.P.) and Calcium and Sodium Lactates. Relaxation of administrative control of distribution June
Leather Relaxation of control of acquisition by footwear manufacturers for the production of footwear, subject to a limitation on stocks. May
Linen Freed from requirement that four-fifths of home supplies must be utility. September
Liquid Rosin Change from public to private purchase October
Mechanical Lighters Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply. July
Paint Materials: Linseed Oil Allocations of Linseed Oil to paint manufacturers no longer made separately for building, transport and industrial paint. July
Paper Allocations given for new trade and technical publications for overseas distribution. July
Perambulators Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply. September
Plastics Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply of the following goods made wholly or party of plastics: cups, saucers, mugs and beakers, babies' pushers, mirrors. April
Plastic waterproof garments Consumer rationing abolished May
Potassium Permanganate Relaxation of administrative control of distribution October
Pyrethrum and Pyrethrum Flowers. Change from public to private purchase April
Rugs Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply of traveling pram rugs. July
Rubber Tyres Revocation of statutory control of acquisition and disposal of new motor car tyres. March
Silk Change from public to private purchase of Japanese silk November
Soda Ash Relaxation of administrative control of distribution July (Light Ash September Heavy Ash)

Commodity or Article Nature of Relaxation Effective date of Relaxation
Stockings:
unfashioned rayon Consumer rationing abolished June
Ties Consumer rationing abolished June
Timber:
Constructional Veneers Change from public to private purchase October
Timber, plywood, boxboards and veneer. Revocation of statutory control of acquisition and disposal of these materials outside the United Kingdom. October
Toilet Preparations Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply. July
Toys Revocation of statutory limitation on supplies July
Waste Textile Materials Revocation of statutory control of acquisition, treatment, use and consumption of jute rags and linsey garments. July
Willow Rods and Willow Sticks. Relaxation of certain restrictions on acquisition within the statutory control. October
Woollen Piece goods Freed from export licensing control in favour of a statutory return of what is exported. May

PART II
PROGRAMME OF RELAXATIONS OR MODIFICATIONS IN BOARD OF TRADE CONTROLS DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1948
Commodity or Article Nature of Relaxation Statutory Order or Instrument Affected
Acetates:— Revocation of statutory control of acquisition, disposal, use and price. S. R. & O. No. 2195/46, Stautory Instrument No. 584/48
Amyl Acetate.
Butyl Acetate.
Ethyl Acetate.
Acetone Revocation of statutory control of acquisition, disposal, use and price. S. R. & O. No. 2195/46, Statutory Instrument No. 584/48
Amyl Alcohol Revocation of statutory control of acquisition, disposal and use. S. R. & O. No. 2195/46, Statutory Instrument No. 584/48
Artificial Flowers Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply. S. R. & O. Nos. 1176/45, 1994/46
Braces Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply. S. R. & O. No. 2793/47
Caustic Potash and Carbonate of Potash. Revocation of statutory control of consumption S. R. & O. Nos. 55/41.
Cork Revocation of statutory control of use S. R. & O. Nos. 55/42
Cotton Linters (a) Change from public to private purchase.
(b) Revocation of statutory control of acquisition S. R. & O. No. 1480/41
Cotton Waste Revocation of statutory control of acquisition and disposal. S. R. & O. No. 1422/42
Curled Hair Revocation of statutory control of production. S. R. & O. No. 627/43
Cutley Relaxation of statutory control of manufacture and supply. S. R. & O. No. 1128/46
Derris Revocation of statutory control of acquisition, disposal and use. S. R. & O. Nos. 51/42, 314/43, 315/43
Drying oils (Tung oil, Stillingia, Oiticia and dehydrated castor oil). Revocation of statutory control of acquisition, disposal and use; and also on oiticica oil, a change from public to private purchase. S. R. & O. No. 484/42
Dyestuffs Revocation of statutory obligation on producers and distributors of home produced dyestuffs to register. S. R. & O. Nos. 1431/39, 1836/40
Embroidery on net and dissoluble fabric. Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply. Statutory Instrument No. 2078/48
Fertilisers Revocation of statutory control of production and distribution. S. R. & O. Nos. 21/40, 909/41, 1330/41, 539/40, No. 1850/42
Fountain Pens Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply. S. R. & O. No. 1455/42

Commodity or Article Nature of Relaxation Statutory Order or Instrument Affected
Fusel oil Revocation of statutory control of acquisition, disposal, use and price. S. R. & O. No. 2195/46, Statutory Instrument No. 584/48
Glassware Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply of certain types of domestic glassware. S. R. & O. Nos. 1176/45, 1994/46
Glue, Gelatine and Size Revocation of statutory control of acquisition, disposal and use. S. R. & O. No. 973/46
Gramophone Records Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply. S. R. & O. Nos. 658/44, 225/47
Hemps:—
Sisal and manila Change from public to private purchase
Hollow-ware and kitchen hardware Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply. S. R. & O. No142/47
Jewellery and silverware Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply. S. R. & O. Nos. 1176/45, 1994/46
Linoleum Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply. S. R. & O. No. 1496/47.
Manila Copal (a) Change from public to private purchase
(b) Revocation of statutory control of acquisition, disposal and use. S. R. & O. No. 1253/42
Methylated Spirit Revocation of statutory control of acquisition, disposal, use and price. S. R. & O. No. 2195/46, Statutory Instrument No. 584/48
Miscellaneous Household and Fancy Goods. Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply of toys comprising any hemp or cork; billiard tables; children's toy apparel; and a variety of small articles for personal or domestic use, mostly of plastics. metal or semi-precious stones. S. R. & O. Nos. 1176/45. 1994/46
Miscellaneous Textiles (All the items of the Second Schedule to S. R. & O. No. 1151/42, e. g., bedspreads, tablecloths, bath mats, etc.) Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply. S. R. & O. No. 115/42
Musical Instruments (except pianos and organs) Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply S. R. & O. Nos. 658/44, 225/47
Paraformaldehyde Revocation of statutory control of acquisition, disposal and use S.R. & O. No. 2195/46, Statutory Instrument No. 584/48
Rayon:—
Yarn and staple Abolition of permit scheme to deliver, operated by the Rayon Allocation Office of the Rayon Industry.
Yarn for the lace industry. Abolition of permit scheme for the allocation of rayon yarn for the production of lace.
Silk Revocation of statutory control of use of raw and yarn, and of the acquisition and disposal of all the foregoing except yarn. S. R. & O. No. 238/47
Sports Gear Revocation of statutory control of manufacture and supply. S. R. & O. No. 238/47
Tobacco Revocation of statutory control of the buying and selling of unmanufactured tobacco. S. R. & O. No. 710/42
Vacuum Flasks Abandonment of permit scheme for distribution of Thermos flasks