§ 11. Mr. Hamlingasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will set up an inquiry into the prices of toilet requisites, including toothpaste, toilet soaps, shaving soaps, and lavatory cleaners.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. George Darling)No, Sir. Where there are price increases that appear to the Government to justify investigation these will be referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.
§ Mr. HamlingIs my hon. Friend aware that the price of some of these things has gone up by as much as 20 per cent. in the last couple of months?
§ Mr. DarlingYes, Sir. We have had discussions with the Toilet Preparations Federation and the Society of British Soap Makers about their recent price increases, and we are satisfied that the traders concerned are aware of the need to absorb their cost increases in their prices as far as possible.
§ Mr. LiptonDoes that reply include a reference to the grossly excessive price increases in soap powders?
§ Mr. DarlingYes, Sir.