§ 78. Mr. Mellishasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the 40 per cent. increase 193W in prices of men's utility shirts, pyjamas, and underwear.
§ Mr. H. WilsonThe 40 per cent. increase in shop prices of men's utility shirts, pyjamas and underwear is a maximum figure. In many cases the increase will be much less than this. These higher maximum prices arise almost entirely from the higher prices the garment manufacturers have to pay for utility cotton cloth now that the subsidy has been removed; the rest of the increase is due to wage increases agreed before 4th February. As regards the consequential adjustments to manufacturers' and distributors' profit margins I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Mile End (Mr. Piratin) on 4th May.