HC Deb 24 March 1955 vol 538 cc2246-7
11. Mr. Dodds

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what date the Monopolies Commission completed its investigations under Section 15 of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Enquiry and Control) Act, 1948, into practices in the retail trades which tend to keep goods dearer than they need be; when he received the Commission's Report; and what action has been taken to deal with traders found to be discriminating in favour of or against a defined class of customers.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I expect to receive by the middle of the year a Report from the Commission on a reference under Section 15 of certain widely prevalent discriminatory practices—if that is the matter to which the hon. Member intends to refer.

Mr. Dodds

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am referring to the matter which his hon. and learned Friend the Parliamentary Secretary mentioned in reply to a Question on 19th December, 1952. in which he said: Broadly, the Commission are to report on practices which involve agreement amongst a number of traders who discriminate in favour of or against a defined class of customers."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 19th December, 1952; Vol. 509, c. 298.] Is that the same matter as that to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred, and, if so, has it not taken a long time?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I think we are all talking about the same thing.