asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the infringement of the Goods and Services (Price Control) Acts, 1939–43, as amended by the Defence (Price Controls) Regulations, 1945, by street traders in Oxford Street; and what steps he is taking to stop this illicit trading and to protect bona fide stores and traders in Oxford Street who comply with the regulations.

I am aware that price controlled goods, especially nylon stockings, are being sold at excessive prices by street traders in Oxford Street. The London Price Regulation Committee are making, and will continue to make, every effort, with the help of the Metropolitan Police, to stamp out these offences. In the last month, over one-half of the cases forwarded for prosecution by this Committee have been against street traders in this and other localities in London.