HC Deb 17 May 1956 vol 552 cc2251-4
Mr. Grimond

I beg to move, in page 19, line 41, to leave out subsection (3).

Mr. Roy Jenkins (Birmingham, Stechford)

On a point of order, Mr. Hynd. Do I understand that you are not calling the Amendment in my name in page 19, line 41?

The Temporary Chairman (Mr. H. Hynd)

It will be in order to discuss that Amendment and also the Amendment in line 45 and the Amendment in page 20, line 2 with the Amendment which I have now called, but they will not be called separately.

Mr. Grimond

This is the subsection under which all references to the Monopolies Commission will now fall, unless the President gives a direction to the contrary. We have made it clear that we do not think that the work of the Corn-mission has anything like ended and we are concerned to know what sort of dire ctions the President intends to give under this subsection. He has indicated that reference to common prices is to be withdrawn as he now considers that a restrictive practice and cases will come to the Court under Part I of the Bill. We consider that there may be very useful reports which could be made by the Commission and we regret that, even at this stage, the Commission is to have no opportunity of reporting. I wish to ask the President whether he contemplates that some interim report should be made on the cases before the Court.

Generally, I should like to know whether the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied that this subsection is necessary. We accept that we cannot have a contradiction between the Court under Part I of the Bill and the Commission. But the right hon. Gentleman has certain powers already, without this Bill, to regulate the work of the Commission, and would it not be useful to allow the Commission to complete at least most of the work on which it is at present engaged? I am not entirely certain what work it is engaged on. I know some of it, but not all, and it would be useful if the President could tell us—

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