asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it was his intention, under the provisions of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Order (Statutory Rule and Order, 1943, No. 676), to prevent a person, who is not a dealer in typewriters, from selling a second-hand typewriter weighing over 22 lbs. to any other person who is not a dealer in typewriters?

Owing to the serious shortage of typewriters, I have found it necessary to control all sales, except of secondhand portable machines weighing less than 22 lbs. This exemption leaves free of control most transactions between private individuals in second-hand typewriters.

What steps has the right hon. Gentleman taken to advertise this, so as to prevent private individuals from inadvertently committing a criminal offence?

The reason for this, as my hon. Friend appreciates, is the great need of typewriters for the Armed Forces, the Government factories, and so on. We have not given any special publicity to this Order, but my hon. Friend's Question and my reply will no doubt give it sufficient publicity to prevent anyone from falling into error by mistake.