§ 59. Mr. Piratinasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the letter sent to him from the national co-operative authority stating that the cooperative movement is working out a schedule of price reductions which they will voluntarily introduce; and what answer he has given.
§ Mr. JayMy right hon. and learned Friend was very glad to receive the letter from the Parliamentary Committee of the Co-operative Congress promising reduction in the prices of a number of commodities, and he has replied expressing his appreciation of the Congress's action.
§ Mr. PiratinI should like to ask my hon. Friend, first, whether he proposes to take any steps to encourage other traders to follow this example; and, secondly, whether he will ensure through his colleagues a greater distribution of goods for the co-operative societies so that they may reduce prices to the consumer?
§ Mr. JayThe co-operative movement have given a very fine lead in this matter, and we must wait to see if the other parts of industry will follow it.