HC Deb 27 October 1953 vol 518 cc2750-1

Lords Amendment: In page 2, line 47, leave out "and report on." and insert "of."

Mr. H. Strauss

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

It will be convenient if we take this and the immediately following Lords Amendment together: In page 3, line 2. after "made" insert, or (if any stage of the investigation has been begun before the direction is given) continued, and the report on the said matter or question made. This provides an improved machinery which will make it clear that it will be possible for work on a reference to be put in hand by the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission before reference is remitted to a group. This is an improvement, as has been recognised by the Opposition in another place, and I know that it is also approved by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson). I do not think I need weary the House by elaborating it.

Question put, and agreed to.

Lords Amendment: In page 2, line 20, at end insert: (6) Where a person is appointed to be a member of the Commission during the proceedings of any such group as aforesaid, the chairman of the Commission may appoint him to be a member of the group.

Mr. H. Strauss

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

The purpose of this Lords Amendment is to allow the Chairman to assign to a group a new member joining the Commission after the group has been set up. It is an improvement in the machinery which will make it certain that the services of a new member of the Commission need not be wasted.

Question put, and agreed to.