Perambulators

23.

Mr. Derek Walker-Smith
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the shortage of various raw materials used in the manufacture of perambulators will involve a substantial decrease in the production of perambulators; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent this unsatisfactory development.

Sir S. Cripps
The main bottleneck at present in the output of perambulators is the shortage of steel, and I am hopeful that we may be able to obtain more steel for this purpose.

Mr. Walker-Smith
Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that there are also other materials which have been cut, notably plywood and cotton? Can he hold out similar hopes in respect of these, and can he hold out hopes of the speedier meeting of the allocations than in fact is made even when they are reduced?

Sir S. Cripps
For the moment I understand that steel is the main bottleneck. When that is solved we will try to solve the others

Air-Commodore Harvey
Will the President of the Board of Trade say what the deficiency of perambulators is over the whole of the rest of this year? Is the figure of 150,000, which has been given in the Press, correct?

Sir S. Cripps
It is quite impossible for anyone to estimate the deficiency of perambulators.