§ 73. Mr. Jannerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet received the report of the inquiry into the price of toys; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. J. EdwardsYes. The Central Price Regulation Committee have reported that there has been no general increase in the price of toys. A few manufacturers have recently raised some of their prices, mainly in respect of metal toys, by varying amounts, representing an average increase of about 4 per cent. over all their toys. The higher prices are attributable for the most part to increases in costs of metal materials incurred before devaluation.
The Committee have evidence that importers have not increased their prices for foreign toys to the full extent of increases in cost due to changes in exchange rates. The great majority of distributors are not exceeding the margins previously allowed under price control: and the trade associations representing distributors have undertaken to circularise all their members with a recommendation that during this Christmas season no distributor 191W should exceed those margins. I am glad to say that there is every indication that there are more and better toys available in the shops this season than for many years.
In all the circumstances, my right hon. Friend has decided not to re-impose price control at present. The Central Price Regulation Committee will, however, review the position in about three months' time.