20. Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will cause an estimate to be prepared showing the percentage increase of cost in production and distribution due to the inquiries, correspondence, and other labour incidental to compliance with the-requirements of the Board of Trade?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANNo, Sir. I am afraid I cannot estimate the cost to business undertakings of answering the Board of Trade's inquiries, as among other things, I am not in a position to prophesy what questions or what number of questions will be asked by Members of this House.
§ Captain W. BENNSupposing traders in the North of England desire an interview have they to come all the way to London?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIf the Board of Trade instituted such an inquiry, I am afraid it would only add to the evil complained of.
§ Captain BENNHas any trader been asked to interview twenty-two separate officials?