§ 40. Mr. Loverseedasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the scarcity and the unpopularity of farthings as units of currency, he will order them to be disregarded in the fixing of maximum retail prices or, alternatively, permit of adjustment in price, by mutual consent, between tradesman and customer, 1819 without recognised infringement of the maximum retail price orders where neither party is able to furnish a coin of this value.
§ Mr. DaltonThe principal Maximum Prices Orders provide that retail maximum prices are to be rounded to the nearest ½d. if the price of the article does not exceed 5s. and to the nearest 1d. if it exceeds 5s. Only for a few articles of very low value are maximum prices fixed in facthings. I am not aware that this practice has caused inconvenience or dissatisfaction and I do not propose to alter it. I could not permit any arrangement between a tradesman and his customer for the payment of more than the legal maximum price, but there is nothing to prevent a tradesman from charging less than that price.
§ Mr. LoverseedIs my right hon. Friend aware that a tradesman who, by mutual consent with his customers, accepted an extra farthing was recently fined £40 for so doing, and that, as a result, customers who now wish to buy commodities the price of which involves a farthing, in o many cases cannot get them unless they have that coin?
§ Mr. DaltonI have had no complaint, but if the hon. Member will send me the particular case, I shall be glad to look into it.