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Utility Goods (Prices)

Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Commerce – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 20 October 1949.

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Photo of Mr John Boyd-Carpenter Mr John Boyd-Carpenter , Kingston upon Thames 12:00, 20 October 1949

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the result of his discussions on the subject of the reduction of margins on the sale of utility goods with some of the interests concerned; and whether he intends to take any further action with respect to further such reductions.

Photo of Mr Harold Wilson Mr Harold Wilson , Ormskirk

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Press notice which was issued after my discussions in August with representatives of the manufacturers and distributors concerned. It gives particulars of the reductions in maximum prices and margins for utility clothing, footwear and household textiles which were brought into force on 26th September. Maximum prices and margins for other household goods are under review.

Photo of Mr John Boyd-Carpenter Mr John Boyd-Carpenter , Kingston upon Thames

Can the President of the Board of Trade say, as his Press notice with its suave ambiguity does not, whether he succeeded in satisfying the people with whom his discussions took place that he was treating them justly?

Photo of Mr Harold Wilson Mr Harold Wilson , Ormskirk

If the hon. Member who I noticed engaged himself in some activities on this subject during August, is asking me whether I received full agreement from all the interests concerned in the discussions, the answer is of course, "No, Sir." If I had had to wait until I got agreements we should not have got these reductions probably for two or three years.

Photo of Mr John Boyd-Carpenter Mr John Boyd-Carpenter , Kingston upon Thames

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I did not ask him whether he had obtained agreement? I asked him whether he satisfied the people concerned that he had treated them justly. Will he answer that question?

Photo of Mr Harold Davies Mr Harold Davies , Leek

Will my right hon. Friend say whether the reductions which were arranged are being observed throughout the country?

Photo of Mr Harold Wilson Mr Harold Wilson , Ormskirk

I have no evidence of the contrary, but if I receive any such evidence I will naturally look into it.

Photo of Mr George Chetwynd Mr George Chetwynd , Stockton-on-Tees

Will my right hon. Friend give his attention to reducing the margins on non-utility goods as well?

Photo of Mr Cecil Poole Mr Cecil Poole , Lichfield

As some of these margins range from 25 per cent. to 50 per cent., does not my right hon. Friend think that some of them are far too high?

Photo of Mr Cyril Osborne Mr Cyril Osborne , Louth Borough

Would the right hon. Gentleman give attention to reducing the prices of goods supplied by nationalised industries on the same basis?