§ 39. Mr. Quintin Hoggasked the President of the Board of Trade, in pursuance of what powers the Oxford laundry zoning scheme was put into force; and under what legal sanction proceedings are taken for its infringement either by customer or laundry.
§ Mr. DaltonThis scheme is a voluntary one and was introduced, at the request of my Noble Friend, the Minister of War Transport, and myself, in order to secure the maximum saving of petrol, rubber and man-power in furtherance of the war effort. Details were worked out by a committee of Oxford launderers in consultation with my Regional Director of Laundry Services and the Regional Transport Commissioner. No proceedings for infringement of the scheme have been taken or are contemplated. The scheme depends for its success on the co-operation of the launderers in the area, and I am glad to say that this has been forth-coming.
§ Mr. HoggDoes not that answer mean that, having been endowed with ample powers by Parliament, the right hon. Gentleman has, in effect, imposed a scheme, by arriving at an agreement between himself and the trade in such a form that Parliament cannot pray against it? If he calls that a voluntary agreement, can he tell us who volunteered?
§ Mr. DaltonThe launderers, whom I approached and invited to volunteer. There is no doubt much voluntary effort is still to be welcomed in furtherance of our war effort.
§ Mr. DaltonThe greater part of the war effort is restraint of trade, for a very good purpose.