asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken to alleviate the shortage of bottles; and if he will give any indication of increased output as a consequence.

Everything possible is being done, with the help of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, to increase the labour force in the glass bottle industry. About 38 per cents. more bottles are being produced than before the war, but owing to a shortage of other types of containers demand for all classes of bottles is very high.