§ 9. Mr. Beswickasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet made any decision with regard to the possible reference of the petroleum industry to the Monopolies Commission.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the right hon. Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson) on 26th January.
§ Mr. BeswickIt is easy to read that answer, but not to understand what it means. The President of the Board of Trade said his mind was made up, he has not made any reference, but he is considering the point. Does that mean that, after four years' consideration of the industry, he is not satisfied that there is a case for reference to the Commission, or that because of possible changes in the constitution of the Commission it is not expedient for the time being to refer this fresh industry to it?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI have made up my mind not to make a further statement on it at the moment.
§ 17. Mr. Roy Jenkinsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in framing the Monopolies Bill, he will take into account the condemnation of individual resale price maintenance which is a feature of the last Report from the Monopolies Commission.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThe views expressed in all the Reports of the Commission will be taken into account.
§ Mr. JenkinsSurely the President cannot feel happy about producing a Bill which, as he indicated last July, will make the position in connection with the enforcement of individual resale price maintenance stronger than it is at present, in view of what he has said?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftWe can judge these matters only when we see the Bill.