HC Deb 07 October 1941 vol 374 cc831-2
39. Mr. De la Bère

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to assisting small shopkeepers throughout the country, he will take steps to introduce regulations or legislation to prevent shops and stores throughout the country selling articles during the war period that they had not sold previous to the outbreak of the war, in view of the fact that many of the stores who had not previously sold anything above 6d. now display on their counters many goods, and commodities which they had not previously had on sale?

The President of the Board of Trade (Sir Andrew Duncan)

I understand that the Retail Trade Committee, appointed by my predecessor, have this problem under active consideration.

Mr. De la Bère

Does not my right hon. Friend realise that it is no longer a question that something should be done to protect the small retail shopkeeper, but that something must be done to see that his livelihood and the whole of his future are not threatened?

Sir A. Duncan

What must be done is under active consideration at the present time.

Major Lyons

Has this Committee had any sittings?

Sir A. Duncan

Very frequent sittings.