§ Mr. Emeryasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the forthcoming review of the cost of distribution in the working of the Prices of Goods Act, he will analyse the factor of expenditure on advertising, in order to discover the extent to which cost of advertising is reflected in the retail price of consumption goods; and to what extent advertising expenditure diverts retail sales of nearly similar goods from one competing firm to another without corresponding benefit to the consumer?
§ Captain WaterhouseThe Central Price Regulation Committee are considering the whole field of costs in relation to prices, and will no doubt draw my right hon. Friend's attention to any specific cases of extravagant expenditure.
§ Mr. Lyonsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the altered conditions, he will now introduce legislation to amend the Price of Goods Regulation Act, so as to invest the central committee and/or local committees with powers to fix minimum prices and maximum profits of all commodities?
§ Captain WaterhouseI would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer which was given to my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Cary) on 25th March last.