§ 19. Mr. George Craddockasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has now completed his inquiries into petrol distribution in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithMy right hon. Friend is considering the representations which have been made to him that the distribution of petrol should be referred to the Monopolies Commission, but he is not yet ready to make any further statement.
§ Mr. CraddockIs there any truth in the statement that distributors who do not join the large combines are charged 4d. a gallon more for their petrol?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI could not answer that question, at any rate without notice. If the hon. Member wants further specific information, perhaps he will agree to put a Question on the Order Paper.
Mr. H. WilsonIs the hon. and learned Gentleman not aware that in the last three or four years the whole machinery of petrol distribution in this country has been revolutionised, and practically all garage proprietors, against their will in most cases, have been forced into these exclusive arrangements, and that the majority of consumers have shown that they are against them? In these circumstances, if the hon. and learned Gentleman is not going to refer the matter to the Monopolies Commission—and we understand that he cannot announce at this moment whether he is going to do so or not—will he consider establishing a Departmental inquiry into the whole question of oil distribution and the distribution by garage proprietors of accessories in the motor trade?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThat is a large question, and I do not think that it arises at present.
§ Mr. CraddockDo I understand from the Minister that in the inquiries made so far this point has not emerged?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI did not mean to suggest that. All I said to the hon. Member was that, as it was not a point on which I was on notice, it was not a point that I had in mind. That is all that I intended to say.
Mr. WilsonHas the hon. and learned Gentleman not studied the various representations made from this side of the House and through the authoritative article in the Economist on 14th January this year, more than six months ago? Has he not received a copy of the authoritative announcement issued by the Motor Accessories Manufacturers' Association?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithYes, Sir. I have studied a large and comprehensive literature on this and allied subjects, but I am not in a position to confirm whether statistics of the kind to which the hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. George Craddock) referred are correct or otherwise, except on notice.