§ 12. Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is discontent on account of the various local authorities having to bear the whole of the expenses defrayed of the local committees under the Profiteering Act, 1919; if he can state whether the Government have considered the advisability of defraying the whole of the expenses from the national Exchequer; if he can state how many resolutions he has received from the various local committees protesting against the same; and whether he will take action in the matter?
§ Sir A. GEDDESA number of resolutions have been received from local authorities or local committees established under the Profiteering Act urging that the expenses of local committees 9 should be defrayed out of funds provided by Parliament and not out of the local funds or rates. This course would be contrary to the express provisions of the Act.
§ 15. Mr. LUNNasked the President of the Board of Trade whether authority has been given under section 4 of the Profiteering Act, 1919, to any local authorities to purchase and sell any articles to which the Act applies; and, if not, whether it is proposed to issue any such authority in the near future?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The powers conferred on the Board of Trade by Section 4 of the Act, which were only intended to be utilised in the event of traders refusing to sell commodities, will be exercised if occasion arise.