HC Deb 11 September 1942 vol 383 cc504-5
15. Mr. John Dugdale

asked the President of the Board of Trade the prices of three-pint kettles, sheets, hair brooms, teacloths and garden forks in 1939 and 1942; whether he is satisfied that the increase in such prices during the past three years is justified; and whether he proposes to take any steps to control the prices of these commodities?

Captain Waterhouse

I regret that the information for which my hon. Friend asks in the first part of his Question is not available. Maximum prices have been fixed for a range of utility household textiles and maximum prices and margins of profit for other household textiles. My right hon. Friend proposes to make similar provisons for some of the other articles enumerated in the near future.

Mr. Dugdale

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman give us an assurance that the increase in prices will not be unreasonable, because many people think the present increase is very unreasonable?

Captain Waterhouse

I hope my hon. Friend can take it that nothing my right hon. Friend does will be unreasonable.