§ 67. Mr. CARTLANDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his 492 Department have considered any proposals for the holding of a national census of distribution?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANProposals for the holding of a national census of distribution have been considered. As I have previously explained to the House, I am not at present convinced that there is any general support for such a census, or that the usefulness of the information likely to be derived from it would be sufficient to justify its cost, and the labour involved.
§ Mr. CARTLANDWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask him to consider the very remarkable results obtained in other countries where such a census has been held? In view of the importance of our food policy at the moment, could he not reconsider the possibility of taking such a census?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have considered what has happened elsewhere, and I find that if we apply in this country the same methods of assessing the production of trades it would cost us £500,000, and I am not prepared to recommend that to the Chancellor of the Exchequer at present.