§ 39. Sir T. Mooreasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government will make arrangements to relieve retail traders who are now being forced out of business of their contractual obligations so that they may have some hope of commercial survival?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Waterhouse)These and other problems of retail traders are now being discussed by the Retail. Trade Committee with the leading trade associations, and my right hon. Friend is unable to make a statement until he has received their recommendations.
§ Sir T. MooreHas not my hon. and gallant Friend any ideas or plans of his own for saving this most valuable part of the community from complete extinction?
§ Captain WaterhouseMy right hon. Friend has a lot of ideas, but when we have set up a committee I think it is just as well that we should wait until it has reported.
§ Mr. ShinwellWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman appreciate the importance of preserving equity between those who are driven out of business because of the war, without any compensation, and have to meet their contractual obligations, and those who are allowed to remain in business and continue to make profits?
§ Captain WaterhouseWe are fully aware of the need for maintaining equity wherever possible.