§ 12. Mr. GRATTAN DOYLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention had been called to the fact that, since the passing of the Profiteering Act, the prices of certain articles of Food had been advanced; that whereas in most cases retailers had not advanced, or only slightly advaned, their prices, manufacturers and wholesalers had been found to have advanced theirs by 100 to 150 per cent.; why the latter had not been proceeded against; whether he would give the number of complaints made to the local tribunals, the number of persons summoned, and the number of offenders fined or imprisoned; and whether the experience already gained showed conclusively that the Act required to be greatly strengthened if the public were to get that relief which was promised when the measure was introduced to the House?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am informed that this rise in prices is mainly due to seasonal increases in the cost of certain articles of food, and as the principal articles of food are controlled, these do not come under the Profiteering Act. I am unable to admit the accuracy of the second part of the question; the question of profiteering by wholesalers is dealt with by the Central Committee and in proper cases proceedings will be taken against wholesalers in the same manner as against retailers. At present only a small percentage of returns have been received from local committees showing that 466 complaints have been heard and determined, prosecution having been ordered in seventeen cases, and in one case a fine has been imposed. As I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull on the 27th October last, the question of extending the Profiteering Act is now under consideration.