HC Deb 16 October 1941 vol 374 cc1498-9
68. Mr. De la Bère

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet received a report from his Retail Trade Advisory Committee on the problems of the small trader; and whether he intends to publish the report?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade(Captain Waterhouse)

My right hon. Friend has received an interim report this week on certain problems which the Committee have had under review and will publish in due course.

Mr. De la Bère

Does my hon. and gallant Friend fully appreciate the urgency of the need for publication of this report and for dealing with the matter?

Captain Waterhouse

Yes, Sir.

Sir Smedley Crooke

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that a large firm of chemists are now selling shoe laces in their chain stores, and does he not think they would be better engaged in selling drugs and corn cures?