asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state the result of his promised review of the margins of profit left to retail drapery and allied trades.

This matter was discussed last week with a joint committee of the retail trade associations concerned. We hope to reach a decision on the level of the margins in question in the near future, after consultation with the Central Price Regulation Committee.

Would the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that this reduction was made on a presupposition that there was going to be an increased turnover, and that increased turnover has not in fact materialised?

That is well in mind.