§ 13. Sir L. Ungoed-Thomasasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the opposition of shopkeepers to the operation of Section 25 of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, which provides for the individual enforcement 789 by legal proceedings of resale price maintenance conditions; and what proposals he has for repealing the section.
§ Sir D. EcclesSome shopkeepers wish for the repeal of Section 25, but most of the representations received from retailers are in favour of the enforcement of resale prices. The answer to the second part of the Question is " None, Sir."
§ Sir L. Ungoed-ThomasIs the President of the Board of Trade aware that the effect of this Section is—exactly as was feared—to keep up prices, cut out competition and push up the cost of living? Will he now consider removing this restriction which his Government imposed and set the shopkeepers and the housewives free from these restrictions? Secondly, is he aware that there are indications that this restriction imposed by his Government is being used by price rings for collectively keeping up the price of their products?
§ Sir D. EcclesI cannot accept the suggestions made by the hon. and learned Gentleman. If there are price rings, they will have to be registered.