An Inquiry made monthly by the Wartime Social Survey for the Board of Trade
This inquiry is repeated at regular monthly intervals. Its purpose is to measure the intensity of demand for the various commodities included, and to show to what extent difficulty is being experienced by housewives in their attempts to buy them.
The items are chosen by the Board of Trade on the basis of reports from their own local officers. The percentages trying to buy the different commodities serve as an index of the demand from one month to another.
The same type of sample is interviewed each month. Housewives were the group selected, as they, on the whole, have more to do with the purchasing of the types of commodities included than does any other group.
It should be noted that housewives are interviewed at their homes during the daytime, so that only a small proportion of housewives who are working at jobs as well as carrying out household duties are included.
Only one report is given here, that for September to October, 1942. The report is set out in the same way each month.
Breakdowns by five regions and two income groups are given. In the case of the dependent questions, results are only given when the number trying to buy amounts to 100 or more.
40
FIRST LINE SHORTAGES
New Series Regional H.5.
Interviewing: 28th September to 10th October, 1942.
A sample of 2749 housewives was interviewed. These were selected in representative proportions from different regions, urban and rural areas, income groups and age groups.
Housewives were asked whether they had tried to buy any of the items listed during the Last four weeks. Those who had tried were asked “Did you succeed?', and “Did you have any difficulty?” This was followed up by questions as to the number of shops visited before the required item was obtained; and “difficulty” was defined as having to try at three or more shops, whilst those who found what they wanted at the first or second shop were classified as “succeeding without difficulty”.
If a housewife had seen the article required in a shop, but had been prevented from buying it because the price was too high, this was classified as “Price too high” and the number of shops visited was not asked.
ITEM
Have you tried to buy in the last four weeks ?
Of those who had tried:
Number trying to buy
TRIED AND COULD NOT GET
OBTAINED
YES
NO
1 or 2 shops
3 or more shops
Price too high
After difficulty
Without difficulty
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Men’s and Boys' Clothing
Braces
13.7
86.3
9.4
45.4
2.7
19.4
23.1
377
Socks
15.4
84.6
2.9
4.3
1.2
14.0
77.6
422
Shirts
10.8
89.2
2.0
2.7
2.7
9.4
83.2
298
Working Trousers
3.6
96.4
-
-
-
-
-
98
Boys' Boots
8.1
91.9
3.1
5.8
8.5
24.1
58.5
224
Women's and Girls' Clothing
Suspenders
11.9
88.1
18.1
68.7
-
7.1
6.1
326
Corsets and Suspender Belts
15.6
84.4
12.1
28.4
2.3
21.5
35.7
430
Brassieres and Bodices Knickers
4.9
95.1
5.3
23.3
0.8
16.5
54.1
135
Infants' Clothing
Knitting Wool
13.8
86.2
2.7
22.8
-
26.2
48.3
378
Napkins
1.9
98.1
-
-
-
-
-
51
Coat Sets
3.1
96.9
-
-
-
-
-
85
Buster Suits
1.5
98.5
-
-
-
-
-
40
Haberdashery
Elastic
61.7
38.3
8.7
68.7
0.6
12.3
9.7
1696
Darning Wool
30.7
69.3
3.9
13.7
0.1
12.3
70.0
844
Tape
20.3
79.7
7.7
21.8
0.2
15.8
54.5
557
Buttons
21.6
78.4
3.7
17.0
1.5
19.5
58.3
594
Metal Fasteners
19.8
80.2
10.9
63.6
0.4
8.5
16.6
543
Household Linen
Towelling and Towels
21.2
78.8
5.7
46.8
20.1
11.2
16.2
583
Cot Blankets
1.7
98.3
-
-
-
-
-
46
Blankets
4.6
95.4
5.6
19.1
50.8
7.1
17.4
126
Drying Cloths
11.7
88.3
4.4
29.3
35.5
14.0
16.8
322
Crockery, etc.
Cups and Mugs
44.8
55.2
8.7
49.2
16.9
12.3
12.9
1232
Teapots
10.4
89.6
7.7
38.8
17.5
12.6
23.4
286
Kettles
21.9
78.1
10.8
63.0
4.3
11.2
10.7
603
Saucepans
26.6
73.4
8.0
69.3
5.9
10.2
6.6
731
Spoons and Forks
0.7
99.3
-
-
-
-
-
18
Oil Cookers
0.3
99.7
-
-
-
-
-
8
Dustbins
0.6
99.4
-
-
-
-
-
17
H.T. Batteries
3.4
96.6
-
-
-
-
-
93
Knives
0.8
99.2
-
-
-
-
-
23
SAMPLE
2749
41
42
Breakdown by Class
Have you tried to buy in the last four weeks?
ITEM
CLASSES A AND B
CLASSES C AND D
Yes
No
Yes
No
%
%
%
%
Men's and Boys' Clothing
Braces
12.7
87.3
14.1
85.9
Socks
13.1
86.9
16.1
83.9
Shirts
9.6
90.4
11.3
88.7
Working Trousers
1.4
98.6
4.3
95.7
Boys' Boots
4.3
95.7
9.4
90.6
Womens' and Girls' Clothing
Suspenders
15.6
84.4
10.6
89.4
Corsets and Suspender Belts
17.9
82.1
14.8
85.2
Brassieres and Bodices
7.8
92.2
3.9
96.1
Knickers
9.6
90.4
12.1
87.9
Infants' Clothing
Knitting Wool
14.2
85.8
13.6
86.4
Napkins
1.5
98.5
2.0
98.0
Coat Sets
1.7
98.3
3.6
96.4
Buster Suits
0.8
99.2
1.7
98.3
Haberdashery
Elastic
59.6
40.4
62.5
37.5
Darning Wool
31.2
68.8
30.5
69.5
Tape
16.7
83.3
21.5
78.5
Buttons
17.0
83.0
23.1
76.9
Metal Fasteners
23.6
76.4
18.4
81.6
Household Linen
Towelling and Towels
16.1
83.9
23.0
77.0
Cot Blankets
1.3
98.7
1.8
98.2
Blankets
3.2
96.8
5.1
94.9
Drying Cloths
13.2
86.8
11.1
88.9
Crockery, etc.
Cups and Mugs
31.7
68.3
49.5
50.5
Teapots
6.1
93.9
11.9
88.1
Kettles
16.7
83.3
23.8
76.2
Saucepans
20.7
79.3
28.7
71.3
Spoons and Forks
0.1
99.9
0.8
99.2
Oil Cookers
0.3
99.7
0.3
99.7
Dustbins
0.7
99.3
0.6
99.4
H.T. Batteries
1.4
98.6
4.1
95.9
Knives
0.6
99.4
0.9
99.0
SAMPLE
719
2025
Percentages for “tried and could not get” and “obtained” in the two class groups are given below in the case of those items were the number trying to buy amounted to 100 or more
Of those who had tried to buy
ITEM
CLASSES A AND B
TRIED AND COULD NOT GET OBTAINED
OBTAINED
Number trying to buy
1 or 2 shops
3 or more shops
Price too high
After difficulty
Without difficulty
%
%
%
%
%
Suspenders
16.1
65.2
-
9.8
8.9
112
Corsets and Suspender Belts
15.5
23.3
-
25.6
35.6
129
Knitting Wools
1.0
21.8
-
35.2
42.0
102
Elastic
9.8
66.8
0.2
15.0
8.2
428
Darning Wool
4.5
17.0
-
10.7
67.8
224
Tape
6.7
16.6
-
24.2
52.5
120
Buttons
2.4
12.9
2.4
23.4
58.9
124
Metal Fasteners
10.6
64.0
0.6
12.4
12.4
170
Towelling and Towels
5.2
42.2
12.9
17.3
22.4
116
Cups and Mugs
9.6
47.4
10.1
13.6
19.3
228
Kettles
15.2
59.4
3.4
11.0
11.0
120
Saucepans
8.8
70.2
1.4
6.8
12.8
149
ITEM
CLASSES C AND D
TRIED AND COULD NOT GET OBTAINED
OBTAINED
Number trying to buy
1 or 2 shops
3 or more shops
Price too high
After difficulty
Without difficulty
%
%
%
%
%
Braces
9.5
43.9
3.1
19.3
24.2
285
Socks
2.8
3.7
1.2
11.6
80.7
327
Shirts
2.6
2.6
3.5
7.9
83.4
228
Boys’ Boots
3.1
4.7
8.9
24.1
59.2
191
Suspenders
19.1
70.6
-
5.6
4.7
214
Corsets and Suspender Belts
10.7
30.5
3.4
19.8
35.6
300
Knickers
0.4
4.9
0.8
8.6
85.3
245
Knitting Wool
3.3
23.4
-
23.0
50.3
275
Elastic
8.2
69.5
0.8
11.3
10.2
1265
Darning Wool
3.7
12.5
0.2
12.8
70.8
615
Tape
8.0
23.3
0.2
13.6
54.9
435
Buttons
4.1
18.0
1.3
18.6
58.0
467
Metal Fasteners
11.0
63.5
0.3
6.7
18.5
373
Towelling and Towels
5.8
48.1
21.8
9.7
14.6
466
Blankets
6.8
21.4
50.5
5.8
15.5
103
Drying Cloths
3.1
33.0
36.6
12.1
15.2
225
Cups and Mugs
8.5
49.4
18.5
12.1
11.5
1002
Teapots
7.9
38.1
19.5
12.1
22.4
241
Kettles
9.8
63.9
4.4
11.3
10.6
481
Saucepans
7.8
69.0
7.1
11.0
5.1
582
43
44
Breakdown by Region
Have you tried to buy in the last four weeks?
ITEM
SCOTLAND
NORTH & ENGLANG
MIDLANDS AND WALES
S., S.W AND E. ANGLIA
LONDON
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Men's and Boys' Clothing
Braces
11.9
88.1
19.8
80.2
12.7
87.3
12.7
87.3
7.0
93.0
Socks
12.6
87.4
21.7
78.3
15.1
84.9
11.5
88.5
12.6
87.4
Shirts
11.3
88.7
14.1
85.9
13.0
87.0
8.6
91.4
5.4
94.6
Working Trousers
2.4
97.6
4.4
95.6
3.8
96.2
3.6
96.4
2.6
97.4
Boys' Boots
4.1
95.9
9.9
90.1
10.3
89.7
6.2
93.8
8.2
91.8
Womens' and Girls’ Clothing
Suspenders
14.4
85.6
15.3
84.7
11.6
88.4
11.2
88.8
5.4
94.6
Corsets and Suspender Belts
15.4
84.6
18.2
81.8
17.8
82.2
13.7
86.3
11.2
88.8
Brassieres
5.1
94.9
6.0
94.0
5.1
94.9
4.0
96.0
4.0
96.0
Knickers
9.9
90.1
12.6
87.4
12.8
87.2
10.0
90.0
10.5
89.5
Infants' Clothing
Knitting Wool
4.1
95.9
16.0
84.0
19.0
81.0
12.6
87.4
11.0
89.0
Napkins
2.4
97.6
2.1
97.9
2.4
97.6
1.7
98.3
0.5
99.5
Coat Sets
3.4
96.6
5.3
94.7
1.7
98.3
2.3
97.7
2.1
97.9
Buster Suits
2.1
97.9
1.6
98.4
1.5
98.5
1.2
98.8
1.2
98.8
Haberdashery
Elastic
55.8
44.2
68.6
31.4
59.8
40.2
67.5
32.5
46.5
53.5
Darning Wool
19.2
80.8
31.5
68.5
30.5
69.5
39.6
60.4
22.7
77.3
Tape
14.0
86.0
20.4
79.6
20.4
79.6
24.8
75.2
16.6
83.4
Buttons
19.2
80.8
29.2
70.8
18.0
82.0
22.2
77.8
13.8
86.2
Metal Fasteners
13.0
87.0
25.2
74.8
17.5
82.5
22.2
77.8
13.8
86.2
Household Linen
Towelling and Towels
14.0
86.0
21.2
78.8
34.6
65.4
19.9
80.1
9.9
90.1
Cot Blankets
3.4
96.6
1.3
98.7
2.0
98.0
1.7
98.0
0.5
99.5
Blankets
4.4
95.9
8.8
91.2
4.1
95.9
2.4
97.6
1.6
98.4
Drying Cloths
9.9
90.1
7.9
92.1
16.4
83.6
14.0
86.0
9.3
90.7
Crockery, etc.
Cups and Mugs
54.8
45.2
47.1
52.9
45.0
58.0
45.0
55.0
37.5
62.5
Teapots
12.3
87.7
12.0
88.0
8.9
91.1
8.5
91.5
11.0
89.0
Kettles
25.0
75.0
28.4
71.6
19.2
80.8
21.0
79.0
13.6
86.4
Saucepans
19.8
80.2
39.7
60.3
22.8
77.2
23.9
76.1
17.6
82.4
Spoons and Forks
0.7
99.3
0.8
99.2
1.0
99.0
0.3
99.7
0.5
99.5
Oil Cookers
-
100.0
-
100.0
0.1
99.9
1.0
99.0
-
100.0
Dustbins
-
100.0
0.3
99.7
1.4
98.6
0.3
99.7
1.2
98.8
H.T. Batteries
1.0
99.0
4.8
95.2
2.7
97.3
4.6
95.4
1.4
98.6
Knives
0.3
99.7
0.5
99.5
1.5
98.5
0.7
99.3
0.9
99.1
SAMPLE
292
750
583
698
426
Percentages are given below for “tried and could not get” and “obtained” in the case of those items where the number trying to buy amounted to 100 or more.
Of those who had tried to buy
ITEM
CLASSES C AND D
TRIED AND COULD NOT GET OBTAINED
OBTAINED
Number trying to buy
1 or 2 shops
3 or more shops
Price too high
After difficulty
Without difficulty
%
%
%
%
%
Scotland
Elastic
30.1
51.5
-
6.1
12.3
163
Cups and Mugs
22.5
52.5
11.9
6.9
6.2
160
North of England
Braces
3.4
56.7
2.0
17.6
20.3
149
Socks
-
3.1
1.2
6.8
88.9
163
Shirts
0.9
-
6.9
5.7
92.5
106
Suspenders
17.4
70.4
-
2.6
9.6
115
Corsets and Suspender Belts
13.2
21.9
4.4
25.5
35.0
137
Knitting Wool
-
12.6
-
32.8
54.6
120
Elastic
8.9
69.9
0.4
11.1
9.7
515
Darning Wool
5.5
5.5
-
8.9
80.1
236
Tape
5.9
11.1
-
14.4
68.6
153
Buttons
3.7
9.6
-
26.5
60.2
219
Metal Fasteners
11.1
61.5
-
6.3
21.1
189
Towelling and Towels
7.0
30.4
29.1
10.1
23.4
159
Cups and Mugs
6.5
34.1
35.2
9.4
14.8
353
Kettles
7.6
83.8
4.3
2.4
1.9
213
Saucepans
7.5
75.5
4.8
8.5
3.7
298
Midlands and Wales
Elastic
2.9
76.7
0.9
8.9
10.6
349
Tape
5.9
21.8
-
12.6
59.7
119
Towelling and Towels
3.5
72.2
8.4
10.4
5.5
202
Cups and Mugs
3.7
45.2
12.6
12.4
26.1
245
Saucepans
3.0
62.1
6.1
15.2
13.6
133
S., S.W. and E Anglia
Elastic
4.9
68.4
0.8
16.8
9.1
471
Darning Wool
3.3
57.2
0.4
17.4
21.7
277
Tape
5.8
30.6
0.6
16.7
46.3
173
Buttons
1.9
16.2
1.9
18.7
61.3
155
Metal Fasteners
7.7
66.5
-
12.9
12.9
155
Towelling and Towels
5.8
38.9
20.9
17.2
17.2
139
Cups and Mugs
8.9
59.2
6.1
18.1
7.0
314
Kettles
10.9
52.4
3.4
22.4
10.9
147
Saucepans
9.6
69.5
3.0
13.1
4.8
167
London
Elastic
9.6
66.6
1.0
15.7
7.1
198
Cups and Mugs
6.9
64.9
9.4
11.9
6.9
160
SAMPLE
Total: 2749 housewives
Region
%
Scotland
10.4
North of England
27.6
Midlands & Wales
21.2
South, S.W. & E. Anglia
25.4
London
15.4
Type of district
%
Urban
84.4
Rural
15.6
Income Group
%
Class A
5.2
Class B
21.0
Class C
37.8
Class D
36.0
Age
%
Under 35
23.8
35-50
45.3
Over 50
30.9
45
THE QUESTIONNAIRE
WARTIME SOCIAL SURVEY
New Series Regional H.5.
Interviewer:.........
Date.........
Town:.........
Region 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Urban 1 Rural 2
Class A 3
B 4
C 5
D 6
Children Aged Under 5? .........8
Children Aged 5 - 14? .........9
No children .........X
First Line Shortages
Have you tried to buy any of the following in the last 4 weeks?
