Clothes Rationing (Hansard, 22 February 1949)

85. Mr. De la Bére
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the overwhelming number of anomalies that exist at the present time in the clothes rationing scheme, he will further examine the position before 1st March and make the necessary adjustment, in view of the confusion which exists in the public mind at the present time.

§ Mr. J. Edwards
We believe that the policy of de-rationing blocks of goods as supplies come into balance with demand is one which is generally welcomed. I do not think that the public mind is confused by the few borderline differences of treatment which inevitably arise.

§ 86. Mr. Oliver
asked the President of the Board of Trade what report was made as to continuance or abolition of clothes rationing by the Committees set up to consider and advise him thereon.

§ Mr. J. Edwards
No unanimous recommendation has been made by the Advisory Committees either for or against the abolition of rationing, but before reaching the decisions announced recently my right hon. Friend had the benefit of hearing a statement of individual view from each of the members of the Committees. There were various shades of opinion; many members were in favour of an early end to clothes rationing, but others, including some manufacturers in very close touch with the forward cloth supplies position, thought differently.

§ Sir W. Smithers
asked the President of the Board of Trade to state in convenient salary groups the number of cuts 258W in staff in his Department as the result of reduced clothing rationing.

§ Mr. J. Edwards
There has for some time been a gradual reduction in the volume of work on clothes rationing. The number of staff engaged solely on that work in the Board of Trade was reduced from 1,297 on 1st November last to 1,152 on 1st February. Part of this reduction was in anticipation of the relaxations in clothes rationing announced on 31st January. A further cut now being made will bring the total reduction since 1st November to 186. It is expected that further reductions amounting to about 100 staff will be possible during the next two or three months. The following table gives particulars of the grades concerned distinguished by scales of pay.

Numbers Scales of Pay

2 … … … £950–£1,250 a year

1 … … … £850–£1,000 a year

4 … … … £675–£800 a year

2 … … … £400–£720 a year

7 … … … £390–£700 a year

22 … … … £230–£650 a year

2 … … … £150–£450 a year

146 … … … Weekly rates up to 126s. a week.

186

These figures exclude staff employed partly on clothes rationing and partly on other work.

Numbers				Scales of Pay
2	…	…	…	£950–£1,250 a year
1	…	…	…	£850–£1,000 a year
4	…	…	…	£675–£800 a year
2	…	…	…	£400–£720 a year
7	…	…	…	£390–£700 a year
22	…	…	…	£230–£650 a year
2	…	…	…	£150–£450 a year
146	…	…	…	Weekly rates up to 126s. a week.
186