HC Deb 29 April 1970 vol 800 cc1235-6
18. Mr. Hall-Davis

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is his latest estimate of the trend of investment by the distributive trades in 1970.

Mr. Mason

No separate estimate is available for the distributive trades. For the distributive and service trades taken together, the results of the last investment intentions inquiry, published in January, indicated a small increase in volume compared with 1969.

Mr. Hall-Davis

Does not the trend of investment, taken alongside the reduction in numbers employed in the distributive trades, indicate that the main effect of S.E.T. has been to reduce the standard of service available to shoppers?

Mr. Mason

I do not accept that as true. The standard of service has increased because of the efficiency resulting from the imposition of S.E.T. The investment level rose by 12 per cent. in 1968 and a further 2 per cent. in 1969, and we expect a small increase in 1970.

Mr. Blaker

Where does the right hon. Gentleman get his evidence for the proposition he has enunciated, that the standard of service has improved?

Mr. Mason

As a member of the general public I can detect it as well as anyone else.

Sir K. Joseph

But does not the hon. Gentleman recognise that Professor Reddaway specifically excluded the question of service from that which is provable as a result of S.E.T. and suggested that the public had suffered in the quality of service since the imposition of S.E.T.?

Mr. Mason

I hone that the right hon. Gentleman will draw to my attention any facts showing that service has suffered. I am not aware of it.