§ 37. Lieut.-Colonel GAULTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the discrepancies prevailing in the matter of food between producers' and retailers' prices, sometimes amounting to as much as 50 per cent. to 75 per cent.; and if he 1079 will have inquiry made into such cases under the Foodstuffs (Prevention of Exploitation) Act passed during the last Session to protect the consumer from profiteering?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI am aware that there is frequently a wide margin between wholesale and retail prices. How far it is justified will depend on the nature of the commodity, the services rendered, and a number of other considerations. If my hon. and gallant Friend will inform me of any particular case in which he thinks that the margin has been unjustifiably increased I will look into the matter.