HC Deb 26 March 1969 vol 780 c1618
38. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now make a statement on his investigations concerning the trading operations connected with the practice known as cube-cutting and its effects upon costs of exports.

The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. Edmund Dell)

We are not in a position to make a statement. The investigation which my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General has asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to arrange is not yet completed.

Mr. Lewis

This has been going on for weeks! Cannot we have some productivity from the Minister's Department, or will he ask the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity to refer the matter to the National Board for Prices and Incomes?

Mr. Dell

The productivity which my hon. Friend is calling for is productivity in the Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions. I obviously cannot make any statement on an investigation which is in progress.