HC Deb 06 February 1940 vol 357 cc35-6
66. Mr. Hannah

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he will consider giving fuller representation to the smaller traders on the Prices of Goods Act committees and to consult such bodies as the National Federation of Small Shopkeepers before further laws are proposed which might be detrimental to the interests of the private trader?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Major Lloyd George)

The Price Regulation Committees have been very carefully composed, and I do not think there is any danger that the special point of view of the small trader will be overlooked. There was full consultation between the Board of Trade and organisations representative of all classes of traders likely to be affected, both before the Prices of Goods Act was introduced and when the Order defining the descriptions of goods to which the Act applies was being drafted.

Mr. Hannah

Are the Government aware that a great many private traders, especially small shopkeepers, are very worried and uneasy over the action of the Government in this respect?

Major Lloyd George

There are, in fact, a good many small traders on the local committees.

Mr. Davidson

May I ask whether Scotland was consulted in the setting up of Scottish committees to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman referred?

Major Lloyd George

Certainly.