§ 49. Mr. ALFRED SHORTasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the Reports of Committees appointed under the Profiteering Act; whether such Reports indicate that profiteering is taking place; and, if so, what action, if any, does he propose to take?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have been asked to reply. The Reports made by the Sub-Committees appointed by the Central Committee under the Profiteering Act, 595 many of which raise difficult questions which do not admit of a decision being given off-hand, are receiving the most careful consideration. While one or two Reports suggest that there has been profiteering, the Committees have in a number of Reports stated that there has been no profiteering.
§ Mr. BILLINGMay I ask if he is aware of the cost of these Profiteering Committees to the nation, and whether under the circumstances he will leave it to the Committees to make their fines large enough to pay their own expenses?
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWhen may we expect any Report on the woollen trade and woollen products?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am not quite sure; I should like notice of that.