§ 35. Sir R. Aclandasked the Minister of Supply how many applications have been made in the last 12 months to his Department by private traders or associations of private traders for permission to charge increased maximum prices, or increased maximum trading margins; how many of these applications have been refused, how many agreed to, and how many agreed to in modified form; and if he can estimate how much the extra cost to the consumer would have been if 804 those which have been refused or agreed in modified form had been agreed in full.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussDuring the 12 months ended 1st December, 1950, my Department has received 40 applications for an increase in maximum prices or trading margins. Twenty-six have been agreed in full, six in modified form, one rejected and seven are still being considered. I regret that it is not possible, without the expenditure of an undue amount of time and labour, to give the estimate asked for in the last part of the Question.