asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue extra coupons or dockets to farmers employing European voluntary workers to enable them to acquire furniture, linen, towels, etc., for the use of these workers.

Yes, Sir. I am ready to help in cases where the farmer cannot provide beds and bedding for these workers, and he should make application on Form UFD/1A which can be obtained from the local fuel office. The workers are given the basic ration and I should expect them to provide their towels out of it.

Can the Chancellor say whether those dockets will cover both furniture and such things as linen?

Yes, Sir.

May I ask the Minister whether prisoners of war in process of civilianisation will also be able to receive these dockets?

That is a somewhat different question, but if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put it down, I will do my best to answer it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the stocks of timber in the country are improving; and if it is now possible to meet all demands in this direction as far as the housing programme is concerned.

Stocks of timber in this country are improving and provision has been made for more timber to be made available for housing in the current quarter.

In view of the continuing shortage, which in some areas is holding up the building of houses, will the Minister see to it that no timber is used for the erection of stands or structures on the route along which the Royal marriage procession will pass?

We do our best to ensure that the timber is directed into the most profitable channels. If the hon. Member has any case in mind where the timber is being misused, and he will let me have details, I will look into it.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a great deal of timber which could be used for constructional purposes is being used for firewood because the farcical controls put on by his Department are ineffective?

I am not aware of it. If the hon. Member will do as I asked the hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Fernyhough) to do, and let me have specific examples, I shall be only too pleased to look into them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a firm in Maybole, Ayrshire, has sold 1,250 tea sets in the last two weeks; and if he will make it a condition when providing manufacturers of tea sets with the necessary materials that they should distribute their products equally amongst retailers in all parts of the country.

I have received information that large sales of pottery have taken place in Maybole, and I am looking into the matter. I am satisfied that, in general, pottery manufacturers are distributing their ware as widely and as evenly as possible.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this retailer boasts in a newspaper of being able to sell 300 tea sets, and expects delivery of 700 tea sets within two weeks, in addition to 1,250 cups?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I have read the newspaper cutting referred to, and it is because of the information which we have received in the Department that I am having further inquiries made into the matter.

But does not that show a very enterprising spirit?

It shows an unfortunate spirit of enterprise which I do not think we want to encourage in this country at all.