HC Deb 13 December 1927 vol 211 cc2063-4
5. Mr. A. V. ALEXANDER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the investigation, on behalf of the Canadian Government, into the operations of the Proprietary Articles Trade Association in Canada and to the Report of the Commis- sioner to the effect that the association is an organisation which has operated, and is likely to operate, to the detriment of and against the interests of the public; and whether he proposes to conduct a similar investigation into the operations of the association in this country?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the answer to the second part in the negative. The fixing of retail prices through the Proprietary Articles Trade Association and otherwise was inquired into by a Committee appointed under the Profiteering Act.

Mr. ALEXANDER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since then the operations have been extended and the principle is now applied by the Association to scores of articles, to the great detriment of the consuming community?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No, Sir. The hon. Member, who has been at the Board of Trade, will remember that the whole position was inquired into by a Committee under the Profiteering Act, and a very comprehensive Report was presented.

Mr. MACKINDER

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what became of that Report? Was it shelved, like all the profiteering reports?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No it was not. It recommended that nothing should be done.

Mr. ALEXANDER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very important addendum to that Report, which was signed by Mr. John Hill, of the Ministry of Labour, covered the malpractices of the Association?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

If I remember correctly, seven to one were in favour of the Report.