§ Mr. R. MORRISONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a recent injunction granted in the Chancery Division restraining a private trader from selling tablets of soap at 5d. instead of an agreed price of 6d.; and whether he proposes to take legislative action to restore freedom to retail traders from the operations of price fixing associations?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI understand that the case to which the hon. Member probably refers was heard only on Thursday and Friday last, and I have not seen the report as yet. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for King's Norton on 8th March, a copy of which I am sending him.
§ Mr. MORRISONDoes the hon. Gentleman not think it about time that the Government, in their desire to retain freedom in this country, should take some action against an organisation that is forcing retailers to sell articles at a higher price than the retailers desire to sell them?
Mr. BECKETTIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the custom complained of in this question is a very general custom?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI understand the contract that was broken was a very usual trading contract in this country.
§ Colonel DAYWill the hon. Gentleman get the Report, as he stated in his original answer that he has not had a chance to see it?