HC Deb 10 July 1924 vol 175 cc2473-4W

25, Victoria Street,

Westminister, S.W. 1.

6th June, 1924.

To the Rt. Hon. JOHN WHEATLEY, M.P., Minister of Health.

SIR,

The Committee of Building Materials Manufacturers and Suppliers, in its Report, recommended that variations in prices over those ruling on 1st March, 1924, should be investigated by a committee upon which the materials manufacturers would be represented. We now confirm having accepted, on behalf of our Committee, your suggestion that the date should be fixed at 1st January, 1924.

The Committee of Building Materials Manufacturers and Suppliers has no objection to powers being given to the Board of Trade to deal with cases of increases or decreases in prices above or below those ruling on 1st January, 1924, which could not be justified by increases or decreases in wages, fuel and raw materials.

It is understood, however, that special consideration would be given to the exceptional eases referred to the fifth paragraph of the fifth page of the Committee's Report—page 35, Cmd. 2104.

We have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient Servants,

On behalf of the Committee,

(Signed) H. J. C. JOHNSTONE, Chairman.

(Signed) P. M. STEWART, Vice-Chairman.

Ministry of Health,

Whitehall, S.W. I.

17th June, 1924.

SIR,

I am directed by the Minister of Health to thank you for your letter of the 6th instant informing him that the Committee of Building Materials Manufacturers has no objection to powers being given to the Board of Trade to deal with cases of increases or decreases in prices above or below those ruling on 1st January, 1924, which could not be justified by increases or decreases in wages, fuel and raw material.

The Minister desired me to refer to the statement he made in the House of Commons on the 3rd instant and to state that in providing for powers to deal with unreasonable prices he is prepared to accept the proposal that the prices ruling on 1st January, 1924, should in general be taken as a basis subject to necessary adjustments for increases or decreases in costs. The Minister will, at the Committee stage of the Building Materials (Charges and Supply) Bill, propose Amendments in this sense.

The Minister duly notes the point in the last paragraph of your letter as to the cases of sale of goods under cost price for special reasons.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

(Signed) W. A. ROBINSON.

H. J. C. Johnstone, Esq.