§ 29. Mr. MABANEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will, during the adjournment, invite the cooperation of organised associations of 1270 retail traders with his Department to discover means whereby the general rate of gross profit in retail trade may be reduced?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI would refer my hon. Friend to the statements I made on the Second Reading and Committee stage of the Financial Emergency Enactments (Continuance) Bill in March last, as to the steps taken by the Board of Trade in this connection.
§ Mr. MABANEThese associations are very anxious to co-operate in this matter, and, in view of the fact that retail prices are more likely to be reduced in co-operation with them than in antagonism, will the hon. Gentleman not make some approach towards them?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI hope the hon. Gentleman is not suggesting that there is any antagonism between the retail associations and the Board of Trade. On the contrary, we are most anxious to cooperate with them, and in fact do so.