§ 13. Mr. DAWESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on the 12th November, 1919, the Southwark Profiteering Committee referred to his Department an alleged case of profiteering in lamp glasses; that on the 10th April the Committee were informed that a preliminary investigation would be held on the 23rd April; whether he can give any explanation of this delay of over five months in dealing with the matter; and whether the investigation of such cases can be expedited?
§ Sir R. HORNEI regret that owing to the very large number of cases which the Central Committee has been called upon to investigate, there has been some delay in dealing with this case. The delay was originally created by the fact that the complainant himself was not prepared to appear. The subsequent delay was occasioned by the fact that owing to other cases being brought to the Committee's attention, the Committee considered it desirable that a general inquiry into the costings of the particular trade should be undertaken before proceeding with the investigation of the individual case.