§ SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will grant a Return showing the number and names of the Foreign and British trusts, rings, cartels, and other combinations having for their 430 object the monopolisation of trade and markets, regulating the output, and keeping up prices, operating in this country.
§ MR. KEARLEYMy right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. I regret that it is not possible to grant this Return as there are no sources available from which the desired information could be compiled in the form of an Official Return. There is literature on the subject with which the hon. Member is no doubt familiar.
§ SIR GILBERT PARKERI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has taken into consideration any means for checking the operations of trusts, rings, cartels, and syndicates, which have for their object the restraint of trade and the restriction of free competition in a country thus far committed to free trade.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HOBHOUSE,) Bristol, E.I shall be very happy to consider any suggestions submitted to me by the hon. Member. In my opinion, however, the best method for reducing to a minimum the prejudicial effects of such operations as those to which the hon. Member refers is to maintain the existing free fiscal system of this country.