§ Captain TERRELLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he has received any recent information indicating activity in the operations of the rings formed by the suppliers of builders' requisites: whether he is aware that retailers are quite ready to supply articles at less money but dare not do so because they must not sell at 516W lower prices than fixed by the rings; whether, now that the new Government programme is announced, intimation has already been given that there may be considerable advances in prices, especially iron work and other building requisites; and what are the steps the Government propose to take to check any attempt to force up the cost of new houses to be built?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS:No recent information of the kind described has been received in the Ministry of Health, but any particulars which the hon. and gallant Member can supply will be welcomed and the possibilities of Government action, if this should be necessary, will be considered in consultation with the Board of Trade.