HC Deb 09 November 1950 vol 480 cc91-2W
130. Mr. Haire

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reasons for the local education authority in Wales; and what is the average individual grant made by each authority.

Mr. Tomlinson

Following is the answers:

present shortage of hessian in the furnishing trades; and what steps he is taking to improve the supply.

Mr. H. Wilson

The reason for the continuing shortage of hessian in the furnishing trades, as well as in other trades using this material, is the lack of supplies from India from which a large part of the United Kingdom's requirements are normally drawn. The Board of Trade is endeavouring to secure all available supplies from other sources, but I regret that I can see no prospect of any improvement in the position until exports of hessian from India return to their previous level.