§ 50. Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will, in determining prices for rationed articles, consider the naming of fixed, rather than maximum, prices at which the articles should be supplied to retailers, and fixed, rather than maximum, prices at which such articles should be purchased by consumers, and thereby prevent profiteering; and if he has any statement to make on the subject?
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. W. S. Morrison)I am unable to agree with the implication that by prescribing fixed prices rather than by prescribing maximum prices profiteering 1951 would be more effectively prevented, as the latter do not preclude the sale of goods at prices below the maximum prices. The arguments in favour of each method have received careful consideration in consultation with representatives of the trades concerned. Although any generalisation on the subject is difficult, having regard to the variety of conditions and of articles in the many sections of the food trades, I consider that maximum prices are more likely to prove satisfactory in practice than fixed prices in the majority of commodities.
§ Mr. GibsonDo the prices fixed to the retailer include carriage?
§ Mr. MorrisonAll such considerations will be borne in mind.