§ 28. Mr. LAWSONasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the Report on the Explosive 1784 Industry of the Sub-Committee appointed under the Profiteering Acts to the effect that the Nobel combine practically control the policy of the various trade associations in the industry, and is thus able to substantially determine the prices at which explosives and detonators are sold in this country, and that the present agreement of the Treasury and the Board of Trade with the combine does not appear to afford a workable scheme of control or supervision; and whether he will put into force the recommendation of the Committee that the powers of the Board of Trade should be supplemented by statutory authority to require from the combine any information which may be necessary to enable review to be made of its operations and prices, and to enable the Board to make recommendations for the adequate protection of the consumer?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have been asked to reply. I am aware of the recommendations of the Committee, which are of the nature indicated by the hon. Member. The question of vesting in the Board of Trade the additional powers suggested by the Committee will be considered in connection with the general legislation on trusts which the Government hope to introduce in due course.