Major BARNESasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the heavy fall in the values of soap-making materials; if he can say whether the soap trust has reduced the price of this prime necessity of the people; and when the Committee appointed to investigate the combinations of soap making firms will report?
§ Sir R. HORNEI understand that there has been a fall in the values of soap-making materials, but that the price of soap has not been reduced. It is hoped that the sub-committee of the Central Committee which is investigating combinations in the soap-making industry will present its report before Christmas.