§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that his Department has fixed prices for certain quantities of ordinary lead pencils at which the wholesaler must sell to the retailer, which do not admit of any balance to cover the overhead charges of the wholesaler whilst it is possible for the retailer to make a considerable profit in selling the same pencils to the consumer at prices fixed by the Board of Trade; and will he look into the matter?
§ Mr. DaltonMaximum prices for utility pencils have been fixed which, in accordance with trade custom, are graduated according to the quantity bought and provide a margin for the wholesaler who buys in bulk and resells in smaller quantities. The prices fixed will be reviewed when sufficient information about the working of the scheme is available.