§ 31. Mr. Hamlingasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now refer to the Monopolies Commission the monopoly situation existing in the boot and shoe industry, on both the manufacturing and distribution sides.
§ Mr. JayThere is no monopoly in the manufacture of boots and shoes. One firm has a large share of retail distribution, but this is not so large as to satisfy the legal conditions for reference to the Monopolies Commission.
§ Mr. HamlingWill my right hon. Friend have a look at this again? Is he aware, that, for example, many shoppers visiting shoe shops in various shopping centres of the country fondly imagine they are shopping at different shops, although, in fact, they are not?
§ Mr. JayI have looked at this very carefully, and the fact is that at present the number of shoes sold through British Shoe Corporation shops is less than one-quarter of total sales; therefore, it does not at present come under the legal definition of a monopoly.