HC Deb 05 April 1951 vol 486 c363
20. Miss Burton

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in fixing maximum prices for goods and materials, he will make regulations to ensure that all goods offered for sale bear price labels, and that the prices shown are clearly stated to be maximum and not minimum prices.

Mr. H. Wilson

No, Sir. Certain kinds of goods must already be marked with their maximum prices, but individual marking of maximum prices on all price-controlled goods would be very burdensome and would add appreciably to retailers' costs.

Miss Burton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many housewives in Coventry have written to me stating that certain traders represent maximum prices as minimum prices, and, furthermore, that the Board of Trade fixes them and that they have to be charged? Would he, therefore, give publicity to the effect that these rulings are to prevent profiteering and not to encourage it?

Mr. Wilson

I entirely agree with the statement made by my hon. Friend, and I hope that due publicity will be given to the fact that these are maximum prices and not fixed prices.

Squadron Leader Burden

When marking the goods will the right hon. Gentleman also ensure that woollen goods particularly are marked with the correct description of the fibre used in the making?

Mr. Wilson

That is another question. I do not personally mark the goods.