Clothes Rationing

Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Commerce – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 18 January 1949.

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Photo of Mr Barnett Janner Mr Barnett Janner , Leicester West 12:00, 18 January 1949

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now make a statement on clothes rationing.

Photo of Mr Harold Wilson Mr Harold Wilson , Ormskirk

My two advisory committees are meeting on 27th and 28th January, and I hope to make a statement shortly afterwards.

Photo of Mr Cyril Osborne Mr Cyril Osborne , Louth Borough

May I ask the President of the Board of Trade why he has turned down the advice of the leading clothing manufacturers, that in their opinion there are sufficient supplies to end clothes rationing by 28th February?

Photo of Mr Harold Wilson Mr Harold Wilson , Ormskirk

The leading clothing manufacturers, are, to say the least of it, divided on the question of whether clothes rationing should come to an end.

Photo of Sir Walter Fletcher Sir Walter Fletcher , Bury

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that most export markets for many lines of clothing are approaching saturation point and that, in consequence, stocks are accumulating in this country, he will either terminate clothes rationing or drastically increase coupon values.

Photo of Mr Harold Wilson Mr Harold Wilson , Ormskirk

I propose to make a statement on clothes rationing shortly, but I must remind the hon. Member that total exports of apparel, and even more of cloth, are still rising, and that wholesale stocks fell by about 25 per cent. in the period from May to November, 1948.