asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to abolish the practice under which the surrender of clothing coupons is required for such aids to the sick as surgical abdominal belts and the like.

All surgical belts less than 6 inches wide, which have certain attachments or are designed for use in certain post-operative conditions, are coupon-free. Other belts, which cannot be thus clearly denned, must in fairness be rationed, because they can be worn as undergarments, but people who are required, on medical advice, to wear a rationed type of belt may apply to my Department for additional coupons.