§ 21. Mr. Peter Thorneycroftasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that some shopkeepers are hesitating to fill up the forms connected with the pilot Census of Distribution upon the grounds that it is part of the Government's policy to establish State-owned shops; and whether he will contribute to the success of this census by stating the Government's policy in this connection.
§ Mr. H. WilsonThe pilot Census of Distribution was taken over a year ago and shopkeepers are not being, and will not be, asked to fill in any more of these pilot census forms. The rest of the Question, therefore, does not arise but I take the opportunity of repeating that it is not the Government's policy to socialise shops.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIn these circumstances, would the right hon. Gentleman dissuade Members of the Government from going about making statements that it is the intention of the Government to run State shops in competition with private shops?
§ Mr. WilsonIf the hon. Gentleman is referring to a speech made by a noble Friend of mine, my noble Friend tells me that in this particular case he was asking his audience to consider various policy issues in question form, but that he most certainly did not offer or advocate policies.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIn those circumstances, would the right hon. Gentleman have a talk with the editor of the "Co-operative News" in order that his noble Friend should not in future be misrepresented?
§ Mr. WilsonThe particular statement, which I have seen also in the "Manchester Guardian" and other reputable newspapers, was based on an agency report which was later contradicted.