HC Deb 07 June 1951 vol 488 cc1206-7
24. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many increases in wholesale and retail prices have been authorised by him since 1st March, 1951.

Sir H. Shawcross

For most consumer goods for the control of which the Board of Trade is responsible, the maximum prices chargeable by wholesale and retail distributors are based on maximum percentage margins and they therefore increase automatically in the event of any increase being permitted in the manufacturer's maximum price. There have been 34 orders since 1st March, 1951, raising manufacturers' maximum prices, some of which deal also with distributors' prices. In addition, there have been seven orders relating only to distributors' over-riding maximum prices; but these cover the same ground as orders dealing with manufacturers' prices and are mainly for enforcement purposes.

Mr. Osborne

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman be good enough to publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the list of those 34 items, with the amount by which each item has been increased?

Sir H. Shawcross

If the hon. Member will put a Question down I will certainly publish that, but I think it would be impossible to get it into the OFFICIAL REPORT for today.

Mr. Nally

So that we may get a comprehensive picture, at the same time as publishing that, for the guidance of the House and the public as a whole, will my right hon. and learned Friend consider publishing a list of those commodities not subject to price control where the price and profit margins have increased during the same period as that to which the Question refers?

Sir H. Shawcross

That would be a matter of utility and interest and it might take some time to compile it.