§ 7. Mr. Bowlesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any observations regarding the token summer sales announced by several West End stores; and whether these sales accord with the policy of his Department?
§ Mr. DaltonI strongly deprecate the holding of sales, whether token or otherwise, at the present time, and so, I am glad to say, do responsible persons in the trade. Such sales encourage the public to buy, irrespective of actual needs, and so discourage the practice of forethought and economy.
§ Mr. ShinwellIf my right hon. Friend quite properly deprecates the holding of these sales, why does he not put a stop to them? Is hot that the obvious thing to do, or do the Government deprecate certain conduct and still allow it to go on?
§ Mr. DaltonIf they reached an important magnitude, I should consider whether I should not take steps to put a stop to them. At the present moment the statement I have made to-day, together with certain representations that have been passing between me and the trade, will prevent their reaching any important size. I shall watch that.