§ Sir R. Gowerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to Table 7 in the Report of the Retail Trade Committee which shows that whereas some categories of 647W retail shops, such as those dealing in clothing, footwear, furniture and electrical goods, have been reduced in number by percentages up to 21 per cent., others, such as chemists', have increased during the war period; and whether, in view of the fact that the reduction is mainly due to quotas imposed for war purposes, he will consider some system of compensation for retailers who suffer specially on this account?
§ Mr. DaltonI have seen this Table and, as I have already stated, I am now studying the whole question in the light of the Committee's recommendations. The Committee's Report makes it clear that there are other reasons for the decline in the number of shops apart from the reduction in supplies.
Mr. De la Bèreasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give an assurance that no decision will be arrived at regarding the recommendations and the plan proposed in the Third Report of the Retail Trade Committee until the views of the people affected are known?
§ Mr. DaltonI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his Question for Oral Answer on the same subject to-day.