§ 46. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Prime Minister if he has considered the resolution adopted at the 1944 Trades Union Congress in which it was suggested that a full public inquiry should be made into cartels, trusts, monopolies and, in view of the Motion standing on the Order Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Stoke and others, what action is to be taken; and will he have arrangements made for the Motion to be considered by the House.
§ [That this House is of the opinion that His Majesty's Government should submit a White Paper to the House describing the scope and pre-war effects of monopolies, cartels, combines, proprietary concerns, trading associations, and demands that legislative action should be taken as soon as possible so that the essential services operated by private concerns shall become socially owned concerns aiming at maximum efficiency, safeguarding the consumers' interests, providing for the full development of the resources of the British Commonwealth and working towards international economic co-operation.]
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)I have been asked to reply. I regret that I cannot hold out any hope at present of facilities for a discussion of the Motion standing in the name of my hon. Friend.