14. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will institute an inquiry as to whether the high retail prices of tobacco and the large profits earned by the combine which dominates the tobacco trade have been maintained by means which operate in restraint of trade?
§ Mr. BALDWINA Sub-committee was appointed by the Standing Committee on Trusts under the Profiteering Acts to inquire into the existence of a trade combination in the tobacco industry, and into the effect which its operations has on prices and on the trade generally. The Sub-committee reported on 13th December, 1919, and the Report was published as Cmd. 558 (1920). In these circumstances, I do not think that a new inquiry would serve any useful purpose.
Mr. SCOTTHas the Tight hon. Gentleman observed that while costs have gone down prices have gone up since that date?
§ Mr. BALDWINNo, I have not.