§ Mr. GUYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the proposals by the distributing organisations to increase the retail price of petrol by a further 2d. per gallon; whether he is aware that the c.i.f. value of petrol imported into this country only increased by, approximately, 1242W 1d. per gallon during the 12 months ended 30th September, 1932, and that during that period the retail price was increased by 3d. per gallon; and whether, having regard to the consequences of any further burden upon motor transport, he will take steps to control the price of petrol?
§ Mr. E. BROWN:In regard to the first part of the question, I have seen some suggestions in the Press that petrol prices may be increased, but I am not aware of the authority for such suggestions, and I have not seen any proposals by the distributing organisations. The data given in the second part of the question are substantially in accordance with the facts, but it is not possible to leave out of consideration what happened in the previous 12 months. If a comparison is made of retail prices, excluding duty, in September, 1930, and September, 1932, it will be found there has been a larger drop in retail prices than in c.i.f. values. I should not, therefore, feel justified in proposing to the Government that they should take the action suggested in the last part of the question.