§ 3. Miss Burtonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make a statement concerning his further investigation into transactions of certain wool and camelhair manufacturers.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThe subsequent transactions to which I have referred concern the sale or exposure for sale of garments made from the wool and camel-hair cloth bearing the labels in question. I have no evidence on the basis of which I could institute proceedings; if anybody has such evidence, I shall be glad to consider it.
§ Miss BurtonIs the Minister aware that there is considerable disquiet among some of these manufacturers because they manufacture cloth to the requirements of the wholesalers who then put the wrong labels on the garments? Is it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to look at that aspect of the matter?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIt might be, but I have no evidence of the sale of these garments to the customers with the wrong labels on them. If I receive such evidence, I will look at it.
§ Mr. ChapmanWill the right hon. Gentleman say how he proposes to get such evidence beyond saying that he will look at any evidence brought to his notice in this House? We have no evidence from him that he takes any steps to tell dissatisfied consumers to come forward and to help him with prosecutions. He does not seem to be doing anything at all on those lines.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftAs far as I know, I have not had a single complaint in this connection.