asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, under appropriate safeguards, he will now allow recognised comforts organisations providing articles of clothing for evacuees, hospitals or other charitable institutions to purchase wool without coupons?

No, Sir. Evacuees and inmates of institutions have the normal ration of clothing coupons. Charitable organisations wishing to collect coupons for knitted garments supplied to such persons should apply to the Board of Trade for the necessary authority, which will entitle them to use the loose coupons for making further purchases of wool.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make a statement about coupon-free working clothes to mineworkers?

As previously announced, coalminers returning to the industry may' obtain a certificate from the Mine Manager, countersigned by a Mines Inspector, which will serve them in place of coupons when purchasing their first new outfit of pit clothing and boots. It has now been decided to issue 60 coupons a year to all underground workers in the industry to meet their special needs in excess of those covered by the ordinary civilian ration of 66 coupons. Arrangements for the distribution of these supplementary coupons are being discussed with the industry.

Miss Cazalet:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any arrangement has yet been made whereby women workers in factories can obtain the over alls necessary in their work free of coupons?

The claims submitted on behalf of industrial workers are now being considered. In the meantime, where one of His Majesty's Factory Inspectors is prepared to certify any clothing as essential for purposes of health and safety, employers may provide such clothing for their workers without surrendering coupons.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider, in the woollen and weaving industries where these things could be very quickly made, making an arrangement whereby a manufacturer could supply these garments coupon-free to the workers, if necessary under supervision?

Would my right hon. Friend take special precautions to see that the women who really need these extra coupons most—those who are work- ing in oily conditions, for instance— receive them before there is a general allotment throughout the industry?

That point will be looked into.