§ 23. Mr. Albert Evansasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that shirts imported from Czechoslovakia are being retailed at 47s. each; and to what extent he controls the price and quality of these and other imported items of apparel.
§ Mr. H. WilsonThere is no control of the prices charged by the manufacturers of these shirts or of the quality of their products. But the maximum margins which can be taken by importers, wholesalers and retailers of imported items of apparel are statutorily prescribed.
§ Mr. EvansWould my right hon. Friend bear in mind the Government's policy of price control, and look into this matter?
§ Mr. WilsonYes, Sir, but I have no control over the price of manufactured goods made in foreign countries.
§ Mr. W. J. BrownIs the Minister aware that if there is a shortage of cheap Czechoslovak shirts, there appears to be no shortage of Czechoslovak shifts?
§ Sir Ronald RossCan the President of the Board of Trade assure the House that it will not be possible to sell Czechoslovak made shirts at a price which undercuts shirts made in this country at proper wages and under proper conditions?
§ Mr. WilsonThere has been no complaint of undercutting. All the complaints have been that the price of imported shirts has been far too high.
§ Mr. HouseIs the Minister aware that shirts of no exceptional quality are being sold within a mile of this House at the apparently exorbitant price of £2 10s. each, and does he not think that there is useful ground there for inquiry and investigation?
§ Mr. WilsonI would like my hon. Friend to let me have particulars.