HC Deb 26 February 1948 vol 447 c2096
13. Mr. Wyatt

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider allowing boot repairers authority to charge a greater increase than 1½d. in the shilling to meet the increased cost of leather supplied to boot repairers.

Mr. H. Wilson

An Order—S.I. 1948, No. 227—was made on 10th February which fixed separate charges for leather and non-leather footwear repairs. The permitted charges for leather repairs take account of the prices which repairers are having to pay for leather.

Mr. Wyatt

Is it not a fact that at the same time the amount of increase allowed to be charged for rubber repairs has gone down, which to a large extent cancels out the permitted increase in leather repairs, and is he consulting with the industry concerned to see if there can be a better adjustment of prices?

Mr. Wilson

We had full consultations with the industry when the previous Order was made, and I am satisfied that this provides a very fair basis for the price.