§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that shopkeepers are complaining at the increasing loss of legitimate retail trade because manufacturers of soap and other household commodities are giving away in return for coupons, free of charge, goods not of their own manufacture that are ordinarily sold in shops; and will he take steps to see that those manufacturers make free gifts of their own productions, or, as an alternative, reduce the price of their commodities to the public?
§ Mr. CrossMy right hon. Friend is aware that the gift coupon system has at times led to complaints, but he is not aware that these complaints have latterly increased. The Departmental Committee "which, in 1933, investigated the matter, came to the conclusion (Cmd. 4385) that424W the practices which formed the subject of its inquiry were not detrimental to the public interest and did not call for any legislative intervention. He sees no reason to disagree with that view.