Major Lloydasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in fixing works prices and profit margins and omitting control of selling prices under Orders Nos. S.R. & O. 1943, 1338 and 1339, there is likely to be a variation in prices of hardware and hollow-ware to the public, up to 25 per cent., thereby causing dissatisfaction among members of the public and eventually penalising retail traders who regularly buy through wholesale channels; and whether he will take action to prevent this?
§ Mr. Loverseedasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will fix retail prices for enamel hollow-ware applicable to small traders and multiple firms alike?
§ Mr. DaltonVariations in the retail prices of hollow-ware were normal in peace-time and could only now be eliminated either by allowing the larger retailers who buy direct from manufacturers to take a very much bigger margin of profit, or by permitting manufacturers to charge much higher prices when selling to such retailers. Neither alternative would be in the public interest.