§ 65. Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that chain stores, cut-price traders and multiple firms have introduced a cut-price war and are selling lease and lend canned foods at uneconomic prices to the detriment of small shopkeepers and other traders; and what action he proposes to take to eliminate this method of trading?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI am not aware that price-cutting is occurring as my hon. Friend suggests, but if he will give me particulars I will have inquiries made. No infringement of the law is, however, involved in the sale of foods at prices below the maximum prices prescribed by Order, and, having regard to the interests of the consumer, it is not proposed to modify the existing law in this respect.
§ Mr. WalkdenDoes not my right hon. and gallant Friend receive reports from his inspectors? Is he not conversant with what is happening even within a mile of this House and that tinned salmon, which is 1s. 10½d. according to the price list, is being sold by Sainsbury's at 1s. 8½d.? Surely my right hon. and gallant Friend receives reports of what is happening?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI should like to receive reports from the 45,000,000 people who would not like to have it below the maximum price.
Mr. De la BèreBehind this issue is the most interesting question of price structure. Why should there be this double profit? Will my right hon. and gallant Friend consult the national committee of the wholesale provision trade, because the matter cannot be lightly dismissed, or dismissed at all?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI am not sure what my hon. Friend means. It is not an offence to sell a commodity below the maximum price.
§ Mr. George GriffithsIs there a maximum price at which people must sell, or may they sell lower? We want goods at lower than the maximum prices.
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe point of maximum prices is that you must not exceed them. There is nothing to prevent your going below the maximum.
§ Mr. WalkdenIs this an attempt to destroy small traders and the co-operative societies?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI have asked my hon. Friend to give me particulars. For the first time in a long period there is a buyers' market as against a sellers' market, and that is to the advantage of the consumer.
§ Lieutenant ButcherIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that many of these 1394 firms are subject to Excess Profits Tax and that reductions in price are made at the expense of the Government?
Mr. De la BèreIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I will raise this matter at an early date.