§ 34. Lieut. - Colonel ARCHER-SHEEasked the Prime Minister whether the Standing Committee on Trusts may be directed to inquire into the business of the Amalgamated Press, Limited, and the Associated Newspapers, Limited, the former of which companies has paid 40 per cent. on ordinary shares for several years past, and the latter of which has paid 20 per cent. on the deferred shares; and, in view of the fact that the price to the public of the extremely important journals published by the latter company has been doubled within recent years, the Standing Committee may be directed to report as to whether undue profiteering has taken place in connection with the raising in price of what has become a household necessity?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer on this subject which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Forfar on the 22nd March.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEWill the hon. Gentleman ask the Standing Committee on Trusts to inquire into the profits of this company with a view to finding out whether their enormous profits are in any way due to Government extravagance?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI said in the answer to which I referred that the Committee on Trusts has power to investigate these things if they think fit.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEECan the hon. Member draw the attention of the Standing Committee on Trusts to these companies and ask them to inquire into this question?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe questions which have been asked in this House have undoubtedly drawn their attention to this matter. They have a large number of questions to investigate, many of them dealing with the necessaries of life, and 613 newspapers can hardly be said to come under that category.