asked the President of the Board of Trade what advice His Majesty's Government are giving to local authorities and to private individuals with regard to the disposal of mattresses, blankets, etc., which have been used in air-raid shelters, having regard to the shortage of such goods for civilian purposes; and what steps are being taken to ensure the reconditioning and cleansing of all such goods before they are offered for sale.

Local authorities have been requested to dispose of surplus stores, including surplus bedding, in accordance with the principles set out in the white paper on the Disposal of Surplus Government Stores. In view of the present shortage of bedding, I hope that both local authorities and private firms who still hold stocks of blankets, mattresses, and other bedding formerly used for A.R.P. purposes, will release them for general consumption as quickly as possible. Used mattresses and pillows need reconditioning before being used again, and local authorities have, therefore, been asked to sell them only to firms who will recondition them. I hope that private firms will follow the same course.