§ 9. Mr. Whiteheadasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what plans she has to extend the Price Check Scheme in the field of sports and entertainments.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe coverage of the scheme was agreed in negotiation and did include certain items in this field. Although the scheme cannot be widened at this stage, it provided for retailers to add items of their own choice, and I have been encouraged to find them doing so on a substantial scale.
§ Mr. WhiteheadWhile my hon. Friend will probably agree—
§ Mr. Gwlym Robertsrose—
§ Mr. Whitehead—that there is nothing we can do about the nauseating exploitation of charity sports and entertainments by ticket touts and others, does he agree that there is a case for the Government approaching those who have unilaterally increased prices drastically over the past year or two for normal sports and entertainments—I think particularly of the major football clubs—and asking them what justification they have for such unilateral increases?
§ Mr. MaclennanIf my hon. Friend will send me details of the increases he has in mind, I shall look into them.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. If an hon. Gentleman remains on his feet, I am sorely tempted not to call him. Mr. Gwilym Roberts.
§ Mr. Gwilym RobertsI thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does not my hon. Friend agree that ticket touting creates a serious problem and that the hard-earned money of ordinary working people is finding itself into the pockets of "spivs"? Will he consider the need to use powers to make sure that tickets for entertainments and sports can be legally sold only at their face value?
§ Mr. MaclennanIllegal touting of the kind my hon. Friend describes must be a matter for the police.
§ 15. Mr. Peter Morrisonasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection how much has been spent so far in connection with the Price Check Scheme.
§ Mr. MaclennanI would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Wainwright) on 8th March 1976 and to the hon. Member for Pudsey (Mr. Shaw) on 29th March 1976.
§ Mr. MorrisonIs the Minister aware that those figures will have altered by now? Is he further aware that any expenditure at all on what amounts to a purely cosmetic exercise is unwarranted? Now that further public expenditure cuts are to be announced, will the Minister and the Secretary of State offer to abolish the Price Check Scheme to save public expenditure?
§ Mr. MaclennanI am aware that there has been an increase in administrative expenditure amounting to £8,500 since the introduction of the scheme. That is so insignificant a sum that it is hardly worth including in a fresh answer.
§ Mr. John GarrettWill my hon. Friend comment on the retail price mark-ups operated by the British Shoe Corporation and comment on their relationship to the Price Code?
§ Mr. MaclennanThat matter is being considered by my Department. My hon. Friend will be aware that the British Shoe Corporation brought the Price Check Scheme into play on virtually all its production, save special markings. I emphasise that the point he has made is being considered.
§ Mr. DykesWhat is the Minister planning to do to counteract the widespread cynicism and disillusionment of housewives about this farcical scheme?
§ Mr. MaclennanThe hon. Gentleman wholly misrepresents the reaction of housewives, who have recognised the value of the price stability in regard to 47 groups of items covered by the scheme. It is particularly encouraging that 30 groups of items have seen no increase in price since the scheme was introduced, or increases of only up to ½ per cent. Very few items indeed have had to be withdrawn because of unavoidable cost increases. This has been of most important assistance to housewives in helping to bridge the gap while the full impact of the wage restraint policy agreed last summer is beginning to be reflected in the prices in the shops.
§ Mr. Mike ThomasWhat is the Government's view of the British Gas Corporation's request to be allowed to exceed reference levels in the Price Code to build up reserves? How will this affect the corporation's involvement in the Price Check Scheme?
§ Mr. MaclennanI understand that there will be no requirement for the British Gas Corporation to withdraw from the scheme before it ends.