§ 10. Mr. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to ensure that all manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and those organisations that supply services to the general public shall register with his Department all price increases that are made in their products and services, either directly or indirectly as a result of the oil and petrol shortage, of the increase in the price of these commodities or of the 1s. tax thereon, and ensure that such registered price increases shall be removed one month after petrol derationing, on a similar basis to the removal of the 1s. petrol tax.
§ Sir D. EcclesNo, Sir. Such a proposal could not be made to work.
§ Mr. LewisWhy could it not be made to work? Surely the Minister is aware that the Prime Minister, when Chancellor of the Exchequer, introduced such a Measure in relation to the petrol tax? Could not the President introduce a Measure such as is suggested in the Question, so that we can be sure that those prices will fall once the extra 1s. is removed?
§ Sir D. EcclesNo. I think that if the hon. Gentleman were to consult traders he would find it quite impossible to distinguish exactly what, if any, cost increase was attributable to the 1s. rise in petrol tax.