§ 4. Mr. Thorneasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the high prices of various kinds of toys charged by the stallholders in a Birmingham bazaar, where a wooden engine, without mechanism or pedals, is priced at £9 19s. 6d.; and what he intends doing about the matter?
§ Mr. DaltonSuch a price for such an article appears outrageous and a complaint should be laid by the person from whom this sum was demanded before the local price regulation committee.
§ 9. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the President of the Board of Trade why the sale of Christmas toys is being restricted, since there are substantial quantities in the manufacturers' hands, for which there is an eager market?
§ Mr. DaltonRestrictions on the supply of toys, as on other less essential forms of production, are imposed in order to divert labour and materials to work of national importance. In view of representations made to me that considerable stocks of toys, already manufactured, were being withheld from sale at Christmas owing to quota restrictions, I made an Order last Saturday allowing free supply of the cheaper kinds of toys by manufacturers and wholesalers until 26th December.
§ Sir T. MooreDoes my right hon. Friend think that this will be in time to catch the Christmas trade?
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir, I am advised that it is in time for that. I want to emphasise that it is not designed to allow more toys to be manufactured, but to clear out the stocks in the hands of manufacturers and wholesalers.
§ Mr. SorensenWhat steps are taken to see that the prices of the toys do not become exorbitant?
§ Mr. DaltonThe concession applies only to toys below a certain price. It applies only to toys and children's indoor games, at a price not exceeding 5s. at the manufacturers' level, 6s. 8d. at the wholesalers' level, and about 13s. retail.
§ Mr. John DugdaleIs there any means of preventing the trader from charging 5s. for a 1s. toy?
§ Mr. MontagueHow many of these toys can be bought out of £2 a week?