§ 1. Sir R. Boothbyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the excessive prices at present being charged for drift nets, which are damaging the interests of the herring fishing industry; and if he will take powers to control them.
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Peter Thorneycroft)The price since decontrol has risen less than wages or the cost of the principal raw material. I do not propose to introduce price control.
§ Sir R. BoothbyMay I take it from that answer that my right hon. Friend is satisfied, after inquiry, that the prices being charged at present are not excessive?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI do not think they are excessive, in view of what I have said. I do not think that it would serve any useful purpose to introduce elaborate price control. Indeed, the price is still lower than it was in 1952 when the control was in force.
§ Mr. AwberyAre we to take it that the policy of the Tory Party is to increase controls?