HC Deb 26 March 1935 vol 299 cc1722-3
6. Mr. MABANE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet had a further opportunity to study the suggestions made by the president of the Incorporated Association of Retail Distributors with regard to the institution of an inquiry into the matter of retail distribution; and, if so, whether he is yet in a position to announce that any sort of inquiry is to be set up?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I see no reason to modify the view which I have already expressed in answer to similar questions by my hon. Friend.

Mr. MABANE

Is the House then to assume that the Government are entirely satisfied that no undue profiteering is going on in the retail trade; and may we also assume that no further statements will be made from the Front Bench to the effect that distributors are taking too high a rate of profit on the goods?