§ Viscount Hinchingbrookeasked the President of the Board of Trade the present regulations governing sales by auction; and whether any relaxations in the restrictions are contemplated in the near future.
§ Mr. BelcherSales by auction are regulated by S.R. & O. 1944 No. 767, as amended by S.R. & O. 1945 No. 220 and S.R. & O. 1946 No. 344. The object of these Orders is to prevent traders from evading price control by selling their goods by auction, and licences, which are granted at the discretion of the chairmen of the local price regulation committees, are not refused to bona fide auctioneers. I am satisfied that the provisions of these Orders are still necessary, and the answer to the second part of the Question is accordingly in the negative.