§ Mr. Ronald Brownasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if her attention has been drawn to the high retail mark-up on furniture; whether she will investigate the retail price structure for furniture and if in the meanwhile she will consider reducing the hire purchase restrictions on furniture.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe mark-ups needed by distributors vary from one trade to another according to the rapidity with which they turn over their stock. I am 785W aware that recommended retail prices for furniture vary considerably, but there is no evidence that profit margins actually realised by the industry are unreasonable. I do not think an investigation into the industry's price structure is called for at the present time; but I will keep the possibility in mind. Abolition of hire purchase restrictions on furniture were announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor yesterday.