§ Captain W. BENNasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has information showing that the prices of building materials are being raised by trusts; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BALDWINA large amount of information on the subject of combinations in respect of building materials is contained in the Reports of the Central Committee under the Profiteering Acts on slates [Cmd. 1338], the brick trade [Cmd. 959], the stone, brick and clayware trades [Cmd. 1209], pipes and castings [Cmd. 1217], and light castings [Cmd. 1200], and in the Report on Combinations in Building Material Trades appended to the Report of the Committee on Trust [Cd. 9236]. It appears from these that any generalisation as to the effect of such combinations is impracticable. As regards the second part of the question, I can only refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statements which have been made from time to time in this House as to the consideration which the Government is giving to this very difficult matter.