asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the continuing shortage of glass bottles; and what steps have been taken to improve the position during 1947.

I am aware that the output of glass bottles, although well above the prewar level, is still insufficient to meet the greatly increased demands. We are doing all we can to stimulate production and are licensing substantial imports.

Will the Minister say what he is doing to scale down the enormous priority demand by Government Departments and others for bottles which is really the cause of the shortage?

Most of the large demand is for milk bottles, of course, which are necessary for delivering milk to the public.

Will the President of the Board of Trade say whether he is doing anything about the salvage of bottles?

Nothing is done except what is done by individual firms for salvaging bottles of their own. Many individuals are unable to purchase goods in bottles unless they give a bottle in exchange. I believe this is so in the case of beer.

Would the President try to force the Minister of Food to implement the condition of issuing cod liver oil and orange juice only if a bottle is returned? At present 4,000 gross of bottles are wasted each week because of the refusal of the Minister of Food to implement this condition.

I will draw the attention of my right hon. Friend to that matter.