§ Mr. Horabinasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that manufacturers of goods, in which the price and delivery of raw materials are controlled, are insisting that goods manufactured from such controlled raw materials shall only be sold at the price ruling on the date of delivery instead of at the price ruling on the date of acceptance; and whether he will put a stop to this practice which restricts business and leads to unjustified profiteering?
§ Mr. StanleyI am aware of some cases where manufacturers are refusing to quote definite prices for the sale of goods at a future date or are accepting orders for goods at the prices ruling on the date of despatch. I recognise the grave disadvantages of such a practice, but I am not satisfied that it would be practicable or even desirable in all cases to put a stop to it. If, however, the hon. Member will inform me of any specific cases which have come to his notice and in which this practice has had the results to which he refers, I will consider whether I can take any action.