Mr. F. GREENasked the President of the Board of Trade whether Regulation 13 in the Schedule relating to the Central Committee under the Profiteering Act, 1919, expressly directs that written complaints shall be considered by the Complaints Committee; whether the only meeting of the Complaints Committee has been one held on 3rd October last, at which it was resolved that certain persons constitute a preliminary investigation committee, but the published minutes record that no duties were imposed on this committee except such as may be assumed from their title; whether such title limits their activity to a preliminary investigation and report to the main committee; if not, will he state the rule or resolution of the main committee under which this preliminary investigation committee have assumed the power to appoint tribunals, try persons, and even impose penalties upon them; and whether, in view of possible legal action which may nullify much of the Profiteering Act, he will at once call a meeting of the Complaints Committee so as to get the position of this preliminary investigation committee regularised?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. As regards the remainder of the question, while I understand that there has only been one meeting of the Complaints Committee, a sub-committee of that body has met on five occasions and conducted the preliminary investigations provided for by Regulation 13. As the Regulations provide that the Standing Committees of the Central Committee may appoint and act through sub-committees, I do not share the apprehension of the hon. Member.
§ Mr. SITCHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to remove the prevalent doubt, and delay in administering provisions under the Profiteering Act by local committees, he will consider the advisability of withdrawing all Schedules so far issued of specified articles within their order of reference, and substituting therefor the unqualified rule that the Act shall apply to all and every article, service, or supply of human need or requirement?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe action suggested would beultra vires.
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§ Mr. HINDSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether inspectors have been appointed under the provisions of the Profiteering Act; and, if so, under what section?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI understand that an inspector has been appointed by the Bermondsey Local Profiteering Act Committee. The Board of Trade Regulations govern the powers of local committees appointed under the Profiteering Act, and while there is no express authority for the appointment of inspectors as at present advised, I am not prepared to say that such appointment isultra vires.
§ Mr. HINDSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to uniform action under the Profiteering Act, he will issue instructions to the tribunals to calculate all profits on the selling price; and to take into consideration the question of replacement values and the working costs of the various businesses?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe question whether further directions should be issued to local committees to assist them in deciding the various complaints with which they are called upon to deal is at present under consideration.