§ Mr. Sharpasked the President of the Board of Trade what conditions must be satisfied before wholesalers may be members of the Surplus Textiles Corporation, Limited; and what arrangements are made to ensure a fair distribution to retailers.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe Articles of Association provide that wholesalers may be admitted by the Council of the Corporation if they had a turnover of at least £25,000 in the wholesale distribution of textiles and clothing in the last financial year before the war, if they have been continuously engaged in this trade since and carry stocks which are substantial in relation to turnover, and if they maintain a regular organisation for selling to the retail trade. Further, not more than 25 per cent. of the capital of the company must be held outside the British Empire. In addition, any person or company must be admitted at the request of the Board of Trade. The Corporation has instructions to see that its members distribute goods fairly to their customers.