43. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is proposed to give authority to manufacturers exhibiting at the British Industries Fair to sell their goods direct to the private buyer; whether he is aware that there exists a widespread feeling of dissatisfaction amongst the retail traders throughout the country owing to this suggested interference with the existing and accepted system of trading; and, if so, whether he proposes reconsidering any instructions he may have issued on the subject?
Mr. SAMUELCertain exhibitors at the Fair wish to be allowed to sell sample articles at retail prices to members of the general public from 5 to 8 p.m. and on the afternoon of the one Saturday which falls within the Fair period. In view of the recently disclosed division of opinion on the matter, I conferred last week with representatives of various retail associations, and I am to meet them again this week. I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend in due course of the outcome of these discussions.
§ Mr. COUPERCan the hon. Gentleman say what are the centres where these fairs are held, and whether there are any in Scotland; and, if not, why not?