HC Deb 06 July 1944 vol 401 cc1307-8
45. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Prime Minister if he will appoint a Royal Commission to investigate and report on the activities and ramifications of monopolies, cartels, trading associations, price-fixing and other quasi-monopolistic organisations and their effect on our war preparations; and what immediate action is to be taken in order that our post-war economic development, trade and production shall not be affected by restraint.

The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

No, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a similar Question on this subject which he put on 24th February last.

Mr. Smith

Am I to interpret that reply to mean that the Government do not intend to take any real action against the monopolists; and if so, is my right hon. Friend aware that many of us believe that that will be the equivalent of a betrayal of democracy, which we are fighting to preserve?

Mr. Attlee

No, Sir, my hon. Friend is entirely wrong. If he will refer to paragraph 54 of the White Paper on Employment Policy, he will see the clear statement there that the Government intend to take these powers and to take action.

Mr. Smith

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that some of us have no confidence at all in that paragraph in the White Paper; and can he give an assurance to the House that the Government mean to take action against monopolists, who were responsible for betraying this country before the war?

Mr. G. Strauss

Is it proposed to ask Parliament for the necessary powers shortly, while the war is on, and before the next Election?