§ 86. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is contemplating the making of orders, in consultation with His Majesty's Treasury, to prevent profiteering in food, coal, and other necessities under Clause 1, Sub-section (3), of the Gold Standard (Amendment) Act, 1931?
§ 89. Dr. MARION PHILLIPSasked the President of the Board of Trade under what existing legislation he proposes to take action to prevent exploitation of the consumers arising as a result of the depreciation of the pound?
§ 90. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the gap between wholesale and retail prices; and whether, in order to prevent the exploitation of consumers, he will take immediate action to stop any increase of a retail price unless a sufficient rise in the corresponding wholesale price has been proved to have taken place?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAs hon. Members will be aware, I am intending to introduce to-day a Bill taking powers to deal with the prevention of exploitation in regard to articles of food and drink of general consumption.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCan the right hon. Gentleman now say if the Clause to which I referred in the Gold Standard (Amendment) Act can be used as a reserve power as, for example, for dealing with wholesalers and merchants?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, it cannot be. The Bill which will be avail- 537 able at the Vote Office will give me much wider powers than could be given under that. Act.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes the right hon. Gentleman's Bill deal with coal?
§ Mr. R. A. TAYLORWhen may we expect this profiteering Bill to receive the Royal Assent?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThat depends upon how quickly the hon. Gentleman will allow me to get it through this House.
§ Mr. TAYLORIs it intended—[Interruption.] May I ask—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot have an abuse of supplementary questions.
§ Mr. TAYLORMay I ask if a supplementary question becomes an abuse when it is a matter of great public importance which is seriously put to the Minister in order to elicit information as to the intention of the Government?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must be allowed to judge when a supplementary question becomes an abuse.
§ 88. Sir GERALD HURSTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the great advances in prices per cwt. charged by wholesale importers and manufacturers in Manchester for granulated sugar, lard, and margarine; and if he will take action to enable retailers to obtain their supplies at prices not unfairly above their present level?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am aware that there has been some advance in the wholesale price of sugar and lard. As regards margarine, I understand that while the prices of a number of grades of margarine have remained unchanged, a particular line of low priced margarine which was introduced on the market last March has been withdrawn. As regards the latter part of the question, I am working in the closest consultation with the representatives of the trades concerned to achieve the object which my hon. and learned Friend has in view.