§ Mr. TURNERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the following drapery and clothing firms declared a profit for 1922 as follows: John Barker £362,382, Dickins and Jones £86,163, Harrods £484,120, Peter Robinson £107,172, Selfridge £320,710, Thomas Wallis £30,578, Whiteley's £240,000, a total of £1,631,125; that the same firms declared a profit of £1,213,323 for 1921; and if he will institute an inquiry into the great difference in the charges for commodities as between the price paid to the producer and the price paid by the consumer?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYI am aware that the published accounts of the year's trade show profits approximating to the figures mentioned. It would be difficult to express an opinion on them without reviewing the full circumstances of each particular case, and as at present advised, I am not prepared to institute such an inquiry as is suggested.