§ 17. Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the proceedings of the Newcastle Profiteering Committee on the case of Lorre and Moor-house, Limited, Blackett Street, New-castle-on-Tyne, who were dismissed, after it being proved and admitted that they had charged over 50 per cent, profit on a child's ready-made coat sold for cash; whether the inquiries of the committee adduced no evidence as to the firm's total earnings, and presented in the acceptance by the committee that the firm's pre-war earnings were on a similar basis, but no demand was made that books should be produced in support of these contentions; whether he recognises that such inquiries are a farce, bringing the Act into contempt; and whether he will summon a meeting of the Central Committee under the Act, and confer with them as to the issue of a set of instructions to local committees as to the facts to be definitely and primarily ascertained before dismissing the cases?
Mr. DOYLEBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers that question may I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that there is no such firm in Newcastle-on-Tyne as Messrs. Lorre and Moorhouse?
§ Sir A. GEDDESMy attention had not previously been called to the case referred to in the hon. Member's question. The functions of local committees under the 595 Profiteering Act are to hear and determine cases with regard to the price charged for the retail sale of the particular article concerning which a complaint has been made and to decide whether the price charged was reasonable having regard to all the circumstances of the case. It is for the local committee to decide what evidence is necessary to elucidate the facts of the particular case under investigation, and I am unable to agree that the suggestion made in the hon. Member's question would really assist local committees.