§ 19. Mr. HOLMESasked the President of the Board of Trade what have been the practical results in reducing prices or otherwise of the activities of the Central Profiteering Committee; and what has been the cost of its operations?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe Central Committee has investigated 378 complaints of alleged profiteering on the part of wholesale traders and manufacturers, and in 337 cases has found that there was no substance in the charge of profiteering. In the remaining 41 cases, prosecutions have been or will be undertaken where the Director of Public Prosecutions advises such a course is warranted. The Central Committee has also investigated prices, costs and profits at all stages of a number of industries and has obtained a volume of valuable information concerning trusts and combines. I think there can be no doubt that the existence and work of the Committee has had a beneficial effect upon prices.
918 The expenditure of the Central Committee to 30th September, 1920, amounted to, approximately, £27,000. This figure does not include office rent, lighting, or stationery. It forms part of the figure of total expenditure which I gave in answer to the hon. Member for South Poplar yesterday.