HC Deb 08 July 1947 vol 439 cc2034-5
62. Commander Noble

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the delivery of goods by retail traders has been resumed; whether the expense of this service is allowed for in the margins of retail profit fixed by his and other Departments; and whether he is satisfied with the present position of the delivery system.

Mr. Belcher

I have no exact information as to the extent to which retailers have resumed delivery services and I am not in a position to express an opinion on their adequacy. Some allowance for delivery costs is made in the margins fixed for retailers, but not on a scale designed to encourage a return to the elaborate service given by some shopkeepers before the war.

Commander Noble

Does the Minister think that some increase in delivery would help to relieve the congestion in the shops?

Mr. Belcher

That may be the case, and as I have said, there is an allowance for delivery charges in the present margin. In view of the present shortage of labour in the manufacturing and producing industries, we do not desire to encourage a return to the over-plus of labour in the distributive industry.

Sir W. Darling

Is not the hon. Gentleman of the opinion that it would be better to extend the system of retail delivery than extend the queues in front of the shops?